2019 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS As of 3/8/19 check back regularly for updates

Transcription

1 2019 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS As of 3/8/19 check back regularly for updates Choose 1 Workshop from each Session: A (10:30am 12:00pm); B (1:15 2:30pm); C (2:45 4:00pm); and D (4:15 5:00pm) WORKSHOP SESSION A: 10:30am 12:00pm A.1 Land Trust Law School Trees, Torts and Tools All levels For stewards of all skill levels, this program will cover the legal strategies and tools available to land trusts, environmental organizations and landowners seeking to protect, assert and know their rights. We will cover laws, regulations, and review recent cases that illustrate the kinds of problems land stewards face and how to resolve them. Topics will include encroachments, tree law, water and wetlands, liability and risk management, restoration, documentation and participating in the public process. We will make time to cover the issues you bring to the session with interactive Q&A. At the end of the session you will have handouts outlining available tools and the rights and rules that govern land and environmental stewardship with an emphasis on the Connecticut context. Keith R. Ainsworth, Esq., Managing Member, The Law Offices of Keith R. Ainsworth, Esq., LLC A.2 Drafting Conservation Easements 2019 Revised Model & Hot Topics Intermediate - Advanced In 2014 CLCC assembled a working group of attorneys and conservation practitioners from around the state to research and draft a model Conservation Easement (CE) for use by the Connecticut land conservation community, with a goal of simplifying language as much as reasonably possible and permitting adaptation to a broad array of situations. Since then, we have made some revisions to the documents in response to the IRS's position on amendments, extinguishment clauses, and other hot topics. This year, our working group is undertaking a holistic review of the document, as well as adding supplementary options for prohibited uses, grantor reserved rights, grantee rights and a forever wild add-on provision, among others. Led by principal drafter, Attorney Linda Francois, and working group member, Catherine Rawson (also an attorney), this 90-minute workshop will provide you with an opportunity for an in-depth review of the provisions of the model and its important associated commentary. With ample opportunity for Q&A and discussion, this will be an exciting opportunity to share your insights and provide your input to help us complete the 2019 edition of the Model CE. We encourage you to bring your land trust s attorney, too! Linda Francois, Esq., Partner, Cooper, Whitney & Francois Ailla Wasstrom-Evans, Esq., Attorney, Prue Law Group, P.C. Catherine Rawson, Executive Director, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust 1

2 A.3 Family Land Approaches & Succession Planning Your land trust was recently contacted by a landowner who has lived on her family s 250 acres her entire life. At eighty-seven, she is widowed and is just now starting estate planning. She d like the land to stay protected and in the family and knows that her late husband would feel the same. She has five kids and wants their input on what to do about the land. Two of them live in town and share their mother s strong emotional connection to the land. The other three are spread out across the country and, while they understand the sentiment behind conserving the land, they would prefer it be sold for the highest price and the proceeds divided. The family is close, but finding common ground on how best to honor their mother s wishes while also considering the individual needs and desires is no easy task. They have turned to their local land trust for advice. In this workshop, we will discuss outreach challenges and opportunities for land trusts when working with families where the older generation is about to pass on large acreage to multiple children. Using case studies, topics we ll cover include how to discuss the topic with landowners; basics of estate and succession planning; the role of conservation easements, leasing and other tools; and more. Bring your questions! Elisabeth Moore, Executive Director, Connecticut Farmland Trust Nancy Strong, "Visionary", Strong Family Farm, Vernon Starling Childs, II, Co-Founder, EECOS A.4 Basic Trail Building (101 Series) Intro Level Trail Management Objectives (TMOs) are the fundamental building blocks for trail planning and management. TMOs synthesize the management intention for a trail, providing critical information for trail planning, design, construction, management and maintenance. TMOs ensure a management framework of continuity and consistency over time, as well as, through organizational and personnel changes. The goal of this 90 minute workshop is to introduce the concept of TMOs, describe their application and illustrate their use through examples of trail projects in Pennsylvania. The desired outcome is for participants to become familiar with these basic building blocks so that they can then begin addressing trails management and planning in their specific setting. Larry Knutson, Founder and Owner, Penn Trails, LLC A.5 Natural Forest Ecosystems for Climate & Critters Intermediate Level New England forests are natural, self-organizing systems that are highly resilient and provide remarkable benefits to human society without management. This workshop features information on the non-timber benefits of unmanaged forests carbon storage, biodiversity, and human health and how a wildlands approach is often an effective approach to stewardship. There will be ample time for questions and discussion and attendees will be provided with documents and information relevant to private landowners, public entities, and conservation organizations in Connecticut and beyond. Ed Faison, Ph.D., Senior Ecologist, Highstead Susan Masino, Ph.D., Vernon Roosa Professor of Applied Science, Trinity College Spencer R. Meyer, Ph.D., Senior Conservationist, Highstead William Moomaw, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of International Environmental Policy, Tufts University. 2

3 A.6 Engaging Youth Through Conservation Work For an organization balancing community engagement, stewardship and sustainability objectives, youth stewardship programs may be just the win-win-win you are looking for! Youth are the key constituency to continuing the environmental conservation set in motion by today s land protection projects. Engaging youth in meaningful stewardship and land management is an encouraging and authentic approach for developing the next generation of conservation leaders. This interactive workshop will examine successful models used by Connecticut land trusts, including community-based municipal partnerships, summer internships, and AmeriCorps programs. Leaders and past program participants will discuss strategies for recruitment, program design/implementation, and connecting with the broader community. Each will present lessons learned and provide ample Q&A, to help workshop participants determine what might work within their own communities and organizations. Steve Conaway, Greenwich Land Trust Lianna Lee, Communications Specialist, Northern Forest Center (Concord, NH) Aaron Lefland, Executive Director, New Canaan Land Trust Connie Manes, Kent Land Trust Cori Merchant, New Haven Land Trust A.7 Municipal Issues Impacting Land Conservation and Land Trusts A Lightning Round Discussion The preservation and stewardship of "open space" is a challenging task, particularly in this difficult economic climate. In Connecticut, land trusts and many municipal land use commissions work diligently to carry out this responsibility in their respective communities. While there is arguably increased effectiveness, and synergism, when land trusts and towns work together, there are often challenges to doing so. Please join us for an interactive panel discussion, featuring a lightning round of experts, who will each provide their brief perspective on municipal issues impacting land conservation and land trusts including: (i) defining/prioritizing open space; (ii) acquisition/stewardship funding; (iii) legal/statutory mechanisms for conserving land in perpetuity; (iv) land management; (v) zoning (including affordable housing) and tax assessments; and (vi) building community connections with the land. The lightning round format is designed to elicit a high level of discussion with a goal of coming away with ideas on how towns and land trusts can better work together to advance land conservation in their communities. Margot Burns, Environmental Planner, Lower CT River COG Jennifer S. Kaufman, AICP, Environmental Planner, Inland Wetlands Agent, Town of Mansfield Barton Jones, President, Cornwall Conservation Trust Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director, Connecticut Land Conservation Council Denise Savageau, Environmental Consultant; President, Connecticut Association of Conservation Districts Dolores R. Schiesel, Esq., Cramer & Anderson; Secretary, Kent Land Trust Lynn Stoddard, Director, Institute for Sustainable Energy 3

4 A.8 There s a Map (or App) for that: Tools, Tips & Tricks for DIY Mapping (101 Series) Intro Level This workshop will provide an overview of mapping technologies (GIS, GPS, remote sensing) and will demonstrate several free or low cost software options that can improve property management and monitoring efforts within your land trust organization. Extension educators from UConn s Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) will introduce websites including CT Environmental Conditions Online (CT ECO), software options for desktop and web-based GIS mapping, and mobile applications to improve GPS field data collection. Participants are encouraged to bring along a laptop and/or mobile device in order to play along. Cary Chadwick and Dave Dickson, Geospatial Extension Educators, University of Connecticut, Center for Land use Education and Research (UCONN - CLEAR) A.9 Board & Staff Succession: Planning for Stability & Sustainability Intro - Intermediate Level Many land trusts are not prepared for what is truly inevitable a passing of the guard. As the old saying goes stuff happens and often when you least expect it. Will you be prepared? Have you got a new generation of leaders ready to step up when your current leadership steps away? If a key leader was lost, would you be scrambling? Succession planning provides stability when leadership is lost unexpectedly and contributes to the sustainability of your organization in perpetuity. It ensures a transfer of critical knowledge and organizational history and in doing so, protects the legacy of current leaders. In this session, we ll unpack planning discuss why succession planning is so important for any land trust, explore different types of succession one needs to plan for, and offer a variety of planning models to keep your organization moving smartly forward -- whatever the circumstances. Nancy Moore, Managing Partner, Conservation Consulting Group A Planning for Agritourism (NOTE: New title and description) Intermediate/Advanced Is your land trust interested in hosting agritourism events? Agritourism is a growth industry in Connecticut, providing income and visibility for landowners including land trusts. They benefit local economies and allow members of the public to engage in enjoyable outdoor, working lands, experiences. However, desirable activities are not always suitable or permissible they can be inconsistent with State and municipal regulations, and incompatible with conservation-related restrictions and/or land management objectives. In this workshop you learn about considerations when planning for agritourism and how to work with your town to adopt successful zoning regulations for agritourism and other added-value events. Joan Nichols, Director of Member Relations and Community Outreach, CT Farm Bureau Association 4

5 A.11 Raising Major Gifts Intermediate Level Need to raise major gifts for the gorgeous parcel you want to preserve? In this presentation, you will learn how to identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major gift donors. We will also cover suggested language to use when asking for an appointment, for a gift, as well as responding to a variety of donor responses. You will learn what motivates donors to make major gifts for land conservation, how to approach family foundations, the importance of bequests. This session is for anyone in particular: Board members, Executive Directors, and other land trust volunteers who are involved in the process of asking individuals and family foundations for money. Sarah Shrewsbury, Principal, Vineyard Consulting A.12 Resilient and Connected Landscapes: A Critical Approach for Land Conservation This workshop is designed for all land trust and agency staff interested in incorporating climate resilience into their planning and priorities. The workshop will begin with an overview of the characteristics that make some areas more resilient than others of plant and animal populations. The second component will be a practical session describing how to access and apply the resilience and connectivity data in your geography of interest. The third and final component will be case studies from CT land trusts that are already using the resilience data to inform and prioritize their land conservation. Participants will leave with an understanding of The Nature Conservancy s Resilient and Connected Landscape approach, data, and tools identifying sites that support plants and animals in a changing climate. Tim Abbott, Regional Land Conservation & Greenprint Director, Housatonic Valley Association Paul Elconin, Director of Land Conservation, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust Andy Finton, Landscape Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy Massachusetts Chapter Sarah Pellegrino, Land Protection/Strategies Manager, The Nature Conservancy Connecticut Chapter A.13 Communicating About Climate Change With climate change now recognized as the greatest threat to conservation we have ever faced, how can we connect with people in meaningful ways to slow it down? This workshop will provide suggestions based upon social science and behavior change research on how your land trust can find a path to connect with people around climate change and help build momentum for slowing it down. We will focus on shared values, timing, and your land trust s work and mission. Additional reference materials will be provided. Judy Anderson, Principal, Community Consultants 5

6 WORKSHOP SESSION B: 1:15 2:30pm B.1 Connecticut General Assembly: 2019 Session Update Join Connecticut land conservation advocates for a facilitated discussion of some of the hot topics under consideration by the Connecticut General Assembly. There will be ample opportunity for you to provide input and ask questions regarding legislation and issues that are relevant to your work in land conservation and environmental protection. Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director, Connecticut Land Conservation Council Eric Hammerling, Executive Director, Connecticut Forest & Park Association David Sutherland, Director of Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy CT Chapter Environmental Champions of the Connecticut General Assembly (Invited) B.2 Doing Deals (101 Series) Intro Level This introductory workshop dissects typical land conservation projects including both fee and easement transactions. Learn the basics of land transactions from project selection through the closing event, including landowner negotiations, creating and executing a successful funding plan, due diligence, and community outreach. This workshop is perfect for staff, volunteers and board members involved in land protection projects. Bring your questions and examples of creative transactions or project issues to discuss and brainstorm solutions. Honor Lawler, Project Manager, Trust for Public Land Land Trust presenter TBA B.3 Appraisals for Land Conservation Come with your appraisal questions! To get things started, we ll go over the seven items an appraiser needs to know to begin an appraisal assignment. Terms like before and after appraisal and enhancement, and difference between market value and conservation value will be discussed. We ll also examine how various regulations for state and federal grants and for charitable donations impact what goes into the appraisal report and even what property is valued! Then we ll offer a case study of one property that was valued four times over the conservation process. This will offer some guidance for what to look for in an appraisal report. Finally, we ll open up the discussion and answer any questions you have about conservation valuation, appraisal regulations and how to find the right appraiser for the job. E. Jenny Flanagan, Commercial real estate appraiser certified in CT, MA and RI 6

7 B.4 Stewardship Speed Dating (101 Series) Share your stories and your expertise! Solve problems AND make new friends. In this session, we will pair up stewardship practitioners for short sessions, allowing people to exchange questions and ideas and share contact information before rotating. We will leave some time at the end for general questions and discussion. We hope that both experienced and less experienced folks will attend the session so wisdom can be passed along. Michael Benjamin, Land Manager, Kent Land Trust Paul Elconin, Director of Land Conservation, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust B.5 Planting for the Bees Needs Providing Habitat for Honey Bees and Wild Bees Did you know that Connecticut has 349 species of bees and honey bees are only one species? Bees are important to us for producing honey and wax and pollinating our crops, and they also are important to the health of our environment, pollinating our native wild plants. We get many of our ideas about bees from what we know about honey bees, but honey bees are very different from our native wild bees. Learn about the life cycles of bees, where they live, and what plants they need to thrive, and how to protect them from pesticides. Finally, hear about a successful Pollinator Pathway created along contiguous corridors in Fairfield County and leave inspired to start one in your region. Kimberly Stoner, Associate Scientist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Anderson Mary Ellen Lemay, CT Outreach Coordinator, Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership B.6 Universal Access Trails Intermediate Level As our population ages, a growing number of people will face limits to their outdoor recreational activities. In addition, regardless of age, many people can face health issues or disabilities. But these challenges do not mean a reduction in the interest in nature, wildlife, physical exercise and recreation; the limits do mean an increased challenge to those planning and managing trail experiences. Planning and managing universal access trails require adherence to specific design parameters; so too does designing and building for sustainability. Not surprisingly, principles of universal design also encourage sustainable practices. This session will provide a high-level overview of best management practices when implementing universal access on one or more of your organization s trails. Emphasis will be on developing practicable strategies for universal access and examples of trail projects in PA and MD. Larry Knutson, Founder and Owner, Penn Trails, LLC 7

8 B.7 Vision & Partnerships between Artists and Environmental Groups Iconic landscapes such as Yosemite and Yellowstone Park were documented by artists long before they were even parks. Even the concept of a National Park in this country was the idea of the artist, George Catlin, who spent many years in the mid-1800s traveling in the West and documenting the native Americans. The adventurous spirit of artists wanting to see new lands and documenting them with paintings and photographs opened people s eyes to the majesty and importance of wild and open spaces in our country. These images and their narratives were instrumental in encouraging policy makers, and motivating the citizens to preserve large tracts of land. Robust partnerships between artists and environmental groups are continuing today creating projects that address human behavior as well as ecological remediations. This workshop will look at numerous case studies of such relationships past and present including Vision Boxes, a recent project which was installed in Old Lyme in collaboration with the Lyme Art Academy, CT Department Energy and Environmental Protection, Old Lyme Open Space Commission and Old Lyme Land Trust. Peter Cable, Retired Physicist, Old Lyme Open Space Association Ana M. Flores, Artist and Ecologist, E.F Schumann Fellow in Environmental Art, University of New Haven Patricia M. Shippee, Owner, Shippee Fine Art, LLC. Others TBA B.8 Tracking Birds within Land Trust Property Understanding what resources you are protecting is important for land trusts. New technologies in tracking and identifying birds offer solutions to land trusts conducting a census of bird diversity within their properties. Specifically, these technologies are useful for finding rare birds within a parcel, getting your property designated as a birding hotspot, identifying birds when minimal descriptive information is available, and keeping track of your bird sightings. In this workshop, a UConn Extension Educator will provide a detailed overview of several free or low-cost bird related smartphone apps and websites that utilize these technologies, and give a live demo of each. This is a "bring your own device" workshop! You will need an Apple or Android device; a laptop would also be useful for some of the activities. Jesse M. Rubenstein, Geospatial Educator, UCONN Center for Land Use Education and Research 8

9 B.9 GIS & Web Mapping for Strategic Conservation Planning and Communications Intermediate How can GIS and mapping technology, including publicly-available data sets, be used to advance land trust outreach, objectives, and impact? Learn how two regional entities have used web-based mapping to communicate their conservation and land management goals. The Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative is working with partners in Connecticut and neighboring states to advance the Follow the Forest initiative. Follow the Forest maps core forests and viable connecting landscapes to establish remaining south-north wildlife corridors across the Eastern Seaboard and suggest priority lands for protection or habitat management to keep such corridors open. The Greenprint hosts a public mapping portal showing Follow the Forest and other data layers commonly used by land trusts in selecting conservation projects, which it will demonstrate within the workshop. The Aspetuck Land Trust (ALT) uses maps in nearly every aspect of its web presence to help the community (i) understand its mission and current campaigns, (ii) enjoy the trails and other lands it manages for public use, and iii) communicate its larger land protection vision. ALT s interactive Preserves map and printable online maps provide options to accommodate users needs and preferences. Attendees in this session will learn about different datasets, analyses, and tools for conservation planning. Beyond the data, Greenprint and ALT GIS/web staff will discuss strategies for presenting data and designing maps to enhance communications and organizational performance. David Brant, Executive Director, Aspetuck Land Trust Ross Bernet, GIS Consultant, Land Trust Maps Stacy Deming, GIS Manager, Housatonic Valley Association Tim Abbott, Regional Land Conservation & Greenprint Director, Housatonic Valley Association Moderator, Connie Manes B.10 Building & Keeping Strong Staff Intro Level Has your land trust recently gone from a volunteer organization to hiring your first staff? Congratulations, you are an employer! The transition from an all-volunteer organization to first staff can be both rewarding and challenging. It is often a giant leap forward towards a more professional organization with much more potential to fulfill the land trust's mission. But, the sole employee of a non-profit can end up in danger of burnout in a short time if the Board does not adequately consider its approach to being an employer. We will discuss job descriptions, personnel policy, employee culture, burnout and affordable health insurance. Come away with a fresh perspective and tools to help make your staff stronger and stay longer, and therefore your land trust more successful. This workshop is ideal for board members and/or staff from small organizations. Amanda Branson, Executive Director, Naromi Land Trust 9

10 B.11 Intro to Durable Collaborations & Mergers (101 Series) Whether through collaborations, partnerships or mergers, land trusts across Connecticut continue to explore and implement new ways to work together to maximize their effectiveness and impact. These approaches can be an effective way of increasing organizational capacity and sustainability as well as enhancing conservation permanence, but they require careful consideration and planning. Join us for this introductory workshop where we ll explore issues around collaborations, partnerships and mergers, including, (i) reasons why land trusts choose to collaborate; (ii) the spectrum of collaborative strategies; and (iii) how to start the conversation about collaboration, including an overview of CLCC s new Advanced Collaboration and Merger Assistance Program. Come ready to explore ways to determine whether such strategies would be potentially beneficial with your land trust. Kevin Case, Director, Northeast Region, Land Trust Alliance, Treasurer, CLCC Catherine Rawson, Executive Director, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust, Board Chair, CLCC B.12 Why Do A Capital Campaign and How to Prepare Is there a capital campaign in your land trust s future? From time to time land trusts need to raise significant funds: A matching grant opportunity to acquire a new property; the potential to acquire lands that are contiguous; the need to build reserves for stronger stewardship or increase your defense fund for conservation easements or even the vision of building an endowment. A capital campaign may be the best approach for your land trust s fundraising goal. This workshop will help you analyze whether a capital campaign is right for your land trust, what factors should be considered when contemplating a campaign and how you should structure a campaign to raise as much money as possible. Sharon Danosky, President, Danosky & Associates B.13 Messaging Around Community Conservation Finding Inspiration Your land trust wants to connect with more people, inspire greater participation and support, and increase your visibility. But how? Just blasting information out into the stratosphere won t do it. Instead, we ll discuss Stories of Change, who makes the best messengers, how to avoid jargon, and why Deep and Wide programming strategies are central to a good communications and engagement strategy. To further our discussion we will use examples of community conservation programs and projects focusing on serving veterans, youth, elders and those grappling with food and hunger to connect with people in your community, in new ways. Judy Anderson, Principal, Community Consultants 10

11 B.14 Confirmation Bias and Climate Change Land trusts are at the forefront of land conservation, environmental protection, and preservation, all of which are essential to addressing climate change. In order to be effective, land trusts must work with the public and often interact with those who still see the issue of climate change as an unresolved discussion. Therefore, the content that land trusts present to the public must be able to withstand scientific scrutiny and not fall in the confirmation bias trap. The goal of this workshop is to provide an overview of climate change, historical climate change, separate truth from myth, give an overview of credible climate change sources and arm land trusts with the tools needed to convey climate change to the general public. Dr. Alexandrina Tzanova, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Central Connecticut State University and Brown University WORKSHOP SESSION C: 2:45 4:00pm C.1 Citizen Activism Effective Advocacy at the Local, State and Federal Level From Pachaug State Forest to Plum Island, land trusts and conservation organizations are organizing to protect precious open space and undeveloped lands. Many of our land battles revolve around water surface or groundwater aquifers and rightfully so. A panel of grassroots conservation advocacy organizations provide insights, successes and set-backs in organizing from the grassroots up, engaging the public and supporters, allies at local, state and federal levels. Panelists will cover emerging issues such as protecting farmland and core forests from inadequately designed solar installations, protecting state forests from unintended uses, and understanding conservation opportunities presented by PURA s public interest requirements of water company owned lands. Plan for a robust discussion and audience participation. Katherine Fiedler, Esq., Legal Fellow, Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound (CFE/STS) Martha Klein, Executive Committee, Sierra Club Connecticut Deborah Moshier-Dunn, Vice-President, Save the River-Save the Hills Suzanne Thompson, Save Oswegatchie Hills Outreach Coordinator, CFE/STS C.2 Doing Deals Advanced Topics Intermediate - Advanced Land conservation projects are often complex deals raising tough legal, financial, and governance issues. This workshop will address common pitfalls, but is also an opportunity for participants to ask the advanced questions most pressing to them, including those related to: easement drafting, conflicts of interest, private inurement/private benefit, title searches, appraisals and Form 8283s, surveys and legal descriptions, environmental due diligence and liability, and establishing restricted funds for stewardship and defense. Through interactive discussion and Q&A participants will come away with practical answers to help advance their conservation work. Eric Barz, AICP, Town Planner of Windsor, CT Paul Elconin, Conservation Director, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust Catherine Rawson, Executive Director, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust 11

12 C.3 Board Member Responsibilities for Ensuring the Strongest Transactions (101 Series) Intro Level Do you fit this profile? You are a new land trust board member, conducting your first land conservation transaction, and not really sure where to begin. Maybe you have read Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices (S&Ps) or maybe you haven t! In this workshop, you will gain a basic understanding of the technical aspects of land protection and stewardship for both conservation easements and fee owned land. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the tools, resources and responsibilities needed to get the job done. Kevin Case, Director, Northeast Region, Land Trust Alliance Chuck Toal, Development and Program Director, Avalonia Land Conservancy C.4. Realistic Success: Invasive Species Case Studies for Practical Land Trust Management Does your land trust manage property overrun with invasive plants? If so, then join us to hear about three successful case studies in Connecticut. You ll learn about the various techniques that were used for removal, funding sources to make it happen, and the follow-up that was required to accomplish positive results in these projects. Two case studies will focus on specific species (Phragmites and Japanese barberry) and the third will deal with an area overrun with a mixture of the common culprits. Bring your questions and join us for this informative and exciting session. Susan Masino, Professor, Trinity College & Open Space Commissioner, Town of Simsbury Todd Mervosh, General Manager, TM Agricultural & Ecological Services, Suffield Bill Moorhead, Consulting Field Botanist Others TBA C.5 Addressing Connecticut Forest Health Issues Safely Intermediate Level Three consecutive years of gypsy moth defoliation, the eastward advancement of Emerald ash borer, and localized severe weather has killed and damaged hundreds of thousands of Connecticut trees. Often volunteers are tasked with removing these compromised trees. While tree removal is dangerous work that can be mitigated with personal protective equipment and best management practices, inherent risks are elevated when dealing with dead and dying trees. This workshop will provide an overview of forest and tree health concerns resulting from current damage caused by insect, disease and storms. Telltale signs and symptoms of distressed trees, and how to adjust routine best management chainsaw safety practices to mitigate these enhanced risks will be presented. Attendees will learn situational awareness and personal skill assessment to promote good decisions as well as proper use and maintenance of personal protection equipment. Resources for beginner and advanced chainsaw operation training will be provided, including steps on how to properly fall a tree including preparing an escape route, assessing lean, making a proper hinge, and other techniques to consider during tree removal. Chris Martin, State Forester and Forestry Director, CT DEEP Thomas Worthley, Associate Extension Professor, UCONN Cooperative Extension Service; UCONN Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Rich Schenk, Fire Control Officer, Division of Forestry, CT DEEP 12

13 C.6 Issues Around Black Bear Population in Connecticut: When, Where, and How Many? The black bear population in CT is increasing in number and the range is expanding. During this workshop, Dr. Tracy Rittenhouse will tell us about a 4 year research project studying Connecticut s black bear population. Tracy and her graduate students at the University of Connecticut found that bear density is best explained by human housing density not natural habitat features. Bear density is higher in exurban neighborhoods (6-50 houses/km2) than in rural areas. (Type your address into the interactive maps to learn the bear density and housing density in your neighborhood: There will be time for questions and sharing of information about managing your land trust s property when bears call the property home. Tracy Rittenhouse, Associate Professor, Director of Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Center, UCONN Department of Natural Resources and the Environment C.7 Exploring Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Many of us are concerned that at too many of our land trust events and meetings, everyone looks the same, and do not reflect the range of ages, ethnicities, or occupations in our communities. How can we interest a broader diversity of people to advance our conservation work? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion and learn and share how to reach out and engage diverse communities, build meaningful partnerships, and identify shared interests and common goals. Participants will discuss how land trusts can leverage traditional and innovative conservation techniques to attract a more diverse range of people and their creativities, skills, and networks to help us grow our local groups, strengthen the conservation movement and bridge divides in our communities. Will Kies, Greenwich Land Trust Executive Director Katharine Lange, Sandy Breslin Conservation Fellow, Connecticut Land Conservation Council Joan Smith, Groton Open Space Association President David Sutherland, Director of Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy Connecticut Chapter Guy West, CT Energy Program Liaison, CT Clean Water Action C.8 Growing Native Plants for Ecological Restoration & Community Outreach We now know that native plants are crucial to supporting wildlife, preventing floods and erosion, cleaning air, and purifying water. They also imbue a landscape with a sense of place, history, and character. Organizations of any size can utilize native plants to improve conservation land and engage the community. This workshop will cover how locally sourced native plants can be grown with existing infrastructure and integrated into stewardship projects or community outreach. Examples will be given of propagating native plants for ecological restoration, habitat enhancement, and demonstration gardens. The workshop will also provide an overview of how to build community partnerships, engage volunteers, and create educational opportunities around native plant propagation. Greenwich Land Trust s Seed-to-Seed initiative will serve as a case study with additional examples and resources provided. Steven Conaway, PhD, Conservation and Outreach Director, Greenwich Land Trust 13

14 C.9 Aerial Image Monitoring of Conservation Lands Intermediate Level In this interactive workshop, participants will learn the Land Trust Alliance requirements for aerial image monitoring of conservation easement and fee owned lands. We ll explore the options for obtaining these images through free Google Earth images, consultant aerial imagery, and consultant drone imagery or flight services. The workshop will then focus on how to best use the free Google Earth images for your organization and show participants the Standards & Practices adopted by the Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust to monitor a portion of our holdings. This workshop is best for land trust volunteers or staff that are familiar with their organization s practices of monitoring easements and fee-owned conservation lands. To participate: 1. Please bring along a laptop and/or mobile device. 2. Prior to the workshop, download Google Earth Pro, the free version, and have it ready to go on your device. 3. If you already have a sample of properties downloaded, that would be even better. Any questions? Kate Losey in advance of the conference at kate@weantinoge.org. Kate Losey, Conservation Easement Manager, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust C.10 Fuel Your Conservation Efforts with Student Power & Mapping Technology Intermediate/Advanced In this interactive poster session, you will meet intergenerational (teen and adult) teams and learn how mobile mapping technology (e.g. GIS/GPS) and support from UConn s Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) facilitated conservation efforts, from trail mapping to environmental assessments. Learn how UConn s NRCA can support your conservation & mapping projects. Chet Arnold, Extension Educator and Director, CLEAR Abby Beissinger, Conservation Ambassador Program Coordinator, NRCA Cary Chadwick, Geospatial Training Program Coordinator, Extension Educator, CLEAR Laura Cisneros, Visiting Professor, University of Connecticut Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (NRCA) Dave Dickson, Assistant Extension Educator, CLEAR Jesse Rubenstein Jason Vokoun, Department Head and Associate Professor, University of Connecticut Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (UConn NRE) John Volin, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost, Professor, UConn NRE C.11 Board Governance How do you think you re doing? (101 Series) Intro Level This workshop gives you the opportunity to raise questions and engage in discussion about what makes a strong board and what is good governance. Using BoardSource 10 Roles & Responsibilities of Board Members as the base presenter Sharon Danosky will raise different topics surrounding board work in a Question and Answer format. Participants will weigh in on how different issues should be addressed, while Sharon will facilitate the conversation, using examples from her many years of experience working with boards. There are no right or wrong answers just some good discussion about what differentiates a good board from an exceptional board and what individual board members can or should do. This is expected to be a fun and lively discussion, while exploring the issues that define standards of boardroom excellence. Those interested may submit questions they wish to address in advance. Sharon Danosky, President, Danosky & Associates 14

15 C.12 Ask an Accredited Land Trust How can my land trust board be sure we have adequately addressed and documented a conflict of interest? At what level of operations should my organization be commissioning an audit? What specific details should land trusts look for on a landowner s Form 8283? When does my land trust need its own appraisal? What exactly is the difference between a current conditions report and a baseline documentation report? Ask an Accredited Land Trust your thorny accreditation questions in each of the Bucket Areas of Governance, Finance, Land Transactions, and Stewardship. Featuring staff and board member panelists from accredited land trusts in Connecticut, this workshop is a direct result of CLCC s new Accredited Land Trusts group, which provides support for Connecticut s land trusts implementing land trust Standards and Practices. Amanda Branson, Executive Director, Naromi Land Trust Sue Cope, Environmental Director, Lyme Land Conservation Trust Sharon Feeley, Board Member, Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust Shelley Harms, Vice-President, Norfolk Land Trust Connie Manes, Executive Director, Kent Land Trust C.13 Programs that Engage Communities & Build Sustainability Planning and execution of fundraising and community outreach projects is a critical function of land trusts. The Farmington Land Trust (FLT) development team will discuss three recent initiatives designed to raise funds and galvanize community interest in their land trust and work to conserve land in the community: Annual Preserving our Legacy Fundraiser Gala - a must-go social event for the town which funds approximately 40% of the FLT operational budget; Adopt-A-Parcel - using mapping to identify contiguous parcels that could be viewed compellingly as future nature trails, gateways to existing trails or historically unique by adopters; and Real 2 Reel - FLT s 2018 short film contest for year-old videographers which ends with awards and the screening of the entries at Real Art Ways. Bruce Edgren, Executive Director, Farmington Land Trust Cate Grady-Benson, Vice-President, Farmington Land Trust Richard Kramer, President, Farmington Land Trust Steve Silk, Board Member, Farmington Land Trust 15

16 WORKSHOP SESSION D: 4:15 5:00pm D.1 CLCC ALPS Program: Yes! Your Land Trust Can Lobby (101 Series) Intro Level Land trusts are important participants in land conservation advocacy, including promoting town open space bond initiatives, participating in public hearings before land use commissions, commenting on state and federal policy initiatives, and engaging their legislators on issues critical to their work. Yet, as more land trusts get involved with advocacy, questions arise concerning what is legal or not under IRS regulations for non-profit organizations. This session will clarify how land trusts can comply with the federal/state lobbying regulations, while successfully influencing land conservation policies and initiatives. We will also introduce CLCC s Advocates for Land Protection and Stewardship (ALPS) Program an initiative to provide land trusts with the training and tools to help develop lasting relationships with their legislators and take on a more active role in the state policy-making process. Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director, Connecticut Land Conservation Council Katharine Lange, Sandy Breslin Conservation Fellow, Connecticut Land Conservation Council D.2 Friending Farmers - A Community Right to Farm Ordinance Success Story A story of how one land trust helped to bridge a gap between rural town officials, suburban transplants, and an agricultural community being squeezed out, and the resultant collaboration to promote a right to farm ordinance through signage that is fostering pride in Colchester s farming heritage across all constituencies. We will bring one of our signs and a picture is worth a thousand words in this case!--and a group of panelists from many of the constituencies involved to explain our process and answer all the questions that may arise from the floor about our experiences advancing this idea. We hope to inspire other municipalities to follow our lead since keeping our state's agricultural base viable is one of the best and most cost-effect ways to support land conservation in our "ruburbian" towns. Chris Bourque, Chairman of Agriculture Commission, Town of Colchester Lisa Hageman, Co-President, Colchester Land Trust Stan Soby, Selectman, Town of Colchester D.3 Surveying Your Land Trust Preserves (101 Series) Intro Level A properly completed survey can display the history and status of a parcel of land. It is the document with which we can see exactly what was purchased and what factors may be affecting it. There are three goals of this workshop: First, to provide an explanation of why a survey is a valuable tool in the land acquisition process and how it can help protect that investment. Second, to provide an explanation of various types of survey most of the public would utilize, including the A-2 survey. The third and last goal is providing some guidance in selecting a Surveyor for your land conservation project. Bring your questions! Calvin S. Weingart, Licensed Land Surveyor, Godfrey-Hoffman Associates, LLC 16

17 D.4 Partnership Opportunities with DoAg and NRCS Land Trusts and municipalities often struggle to find funding and technical assistance for land protection, and the management of their land holdings for wildlife and working lands. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) and United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) offer a number of programs and services and are ready and willing to partner with you. Participants will learn about the details of these opportunities. Topics will include DoAg programs like the Farmland Preservation Program, Farmland Restoration Program, CT Farmlink, and Farm Viability Program. USDA NRCS programs will include the Agricultural Lands Easement Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Conservation Planning. Come learn about what we can do together! Kathleen Doherty, Conservation Coordinator, Connecticut Farmland Trust Joyce Purcell, Acting State Conservationist, USDA NRCS Cameron Weimar, Director of Farmland Preservation, DoAg D.5 Mountain Biking as Passive Recreational Use: Stewardship Collaborations Mountain biking as a form a passive recreation has experienced growing interest across all age ranges and demographics. The panel aims to address stewardship opportunities, collaboration approaches, as well as conservation and user conflict concerns associated with opening conserved lands to multiple passive uses, specifically mountain bikers. Our panel includes individuals with a depth of experience working with mountain bikers through local land trusts, advocacy organizations, and state agencies. Bring your questions and prepare for an active and engaging discussion. Kim Bradley, President, SECT Chapter, New England Mountain Bike Association NEMBA, Board Member, Avalonia Land Conservancy Jason Engelhardt, Board Member, Central CT New England Mountain Bike Association, Madison Land Trust David Stygar, Environmental Analyst, CT DEEP, Land Acquisition Kristina White, Executive Director, Lyme Land Conservation Trust D.6 Monitoring Water Quality & Inventorying Stream Biology: DEEP Partnership Opportunities Intermediate Level Did you know that every spring, summer and fall the CT DEEP Water Monitoring Group has field crews on water bodies throughout the state conducting biological and water chemistry surveys? Did you know that you can contact them to potentially have them monitor waterbodies on your lands or to obtain monitoring data? Did you know that the group has a staff member dedicated to serving as the statewide Volunteer Water Monitoring Program coordinator who can assist you with water quality questions and monitoring plan development? Or that she can train you to study the bugs and the temperature of your rivers and streams in order to determine if they are healthy? If you answered No to any of these questions and you are interested in water quality monitoring related to a waterbody in your town or watershed then this informational workshop is for you! At the workshop s conclusion, participants will have a strong understanding of the DEEP monitoring group and how we can provide water quality monitoring training and stream biological data to your land trust and interested partners. Meghan Lally, Volunteer Water Monitoring Program Coordinator, CT DEEP 17

18 D.7 Uptown Forest Living in a Downtown World An Ambassador Landscape Success Story in the Making According to land trust consultant Judy Anderson, an Ambassador Landscape is a property that first, and foremost, has a purpose to connect people especially new people (not current members of the land trust) and those who have not grown up immersed in that landscape to the land. It is a property that speaks to people, sharing your organization s passion for the land and helping to create emotional connections to that type of landscape or related lands. In this workshop, representatives from the Norfolk Land Trust (NLT) and their forester will describe their efforts in improving a previously ignored 19-acre forested property in the Norfolk downtown area (Els Crane). This unique property abuts the elementary school and connects the downtown to 1000's of acres of protected forest. Guided by a stewardship plan funded through the NRCS Environmental Quality Improvement Program, NLT has been developing handicap accessible trails, getting rid of the invasive species, improving forest health and wildlife habitat on this key property. There is also an effort underway to revitalize the overgrown sidewalk that connects this property to the downtown center. Learn about the rich history and rich future of the property and leave with ideas to replicate this success story in your own community. David Beers, Forester, President, Connwood Foresters Hartley Mead, Norfolk Native, Citizen Scientist, Representative for Norfolk Land Trust D.8 Creating Greener Land Trust, Agency, and Municipal Events Your organization or municipality does a variety of events throughout the year, from monthly meetings to important fundraisers. Are you doing everything possible to make these events compatible with the broader conservation mission of sustainability? Sourcing local foods, and minimizing the impact while having a successful and cost effective event is easier said than done. Learn from the pros about topics such as: Sourcing local products and foods; minimizing food waste; recycling, reuse, and composting; working with caterers and restaurants; managing guests and participants; creating proper messaging; evaluating costs and benefits; and minimizing the impact on sites and settings from outdoor venues. Let's be green in all we do! Sherill Baldwin, Source Reduction and Recycling Analyst, CT DEEP Samuel King, Marketing & Business Expansion, Blue Earth Compost, Inc. Elisabeth Moore, Executive Director, Connecticut Farmland Trust Jim Calkins, Executive Chef and Owner of Seasonal Catering D.9 Nature s Vital Role in Community Health, Wellness & Connection Scientific research has now caught up with the ancient knowledge that trees heal us physically and mentally. It has now been proven that simply breathing in the forest air can improve our human physical and mental wellness by boosting immune functioning along with many other amazing health benefits. This workshop is targeted toward anyone/everyone who would like to learn more about how nature can heal our communities. We will present the important role nature plays in our overall human wellness and share the story of one man s recovery through his connection to nature. Alexandra Lowry, Founder, The Wisdom Alliance, LLC Laura Noe, Author, Travels With My Son: Journeys of the Heart 18