Dear , With the registration deadline for Rally fast approaching on August 25th be sure to make your reservation, as many of the field trips, workshops and hotel rooms are nearly filled. Don't miss your chance to learn about new funding sources and the recently extended conservation tax incentive. You will meet fellow conservation leaders from around the country, and come away informed and inspired. In the meantime, Congress will be home on recess until September 7, and now is a great time to show your representatives and senators how important the conservation tax incentive is to their district. If they haven't cosponsored the new legislation or joined the Land Conservation Caucus, there's no better place to ask than at a press conference celebrating an easement that benefited from the new incentive. See guides and templates that will make it easy to host a congressional site visit, landowner forum or in-district meeting. Rand Wentworth President, Land Trust Alliance

All Things rally

A Special Evening We invite you to join your colleagues and friends at one of the regional receptions being held on Thursday, September 18 from 5:30 - 7:30pm, at the historic Omni William Penn Hotel. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The receptions are being held earlier on the schedule this year so you can socialize and network before the seminars and workshops begin, and then meet up with new friends throughout Rally.

Come Discuss IRS Audits and Alliance Policy Priorities at Rally By popular demand, Rally will again feature an interactive session where representatives of the Internal Revenue Service can take your questions on IRS scrutiny of conservation easements and appraisals. You'll also have the chance to help set Alliance policy priorities at our annual Federal Policy Update and Review. More information and instructions for submitting questions in advance. Order copies of "Using the Conservation Tax Incentive," the brochure announced in last month's eNews.

Free Land Trust Technology Clinic Sign up for an hour's free advice at Rally in Pittsburgh from top GIS experts. Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced GIS user, we have the right expert for you to talk to! Learn about: GIS tools used by land trusts Raising money for GIS projects Five essential maps of every successful land trust Any other GIS questions or problems you may have To participate, stop by the booth at Rally and sign up for your free consultation. Read more Back to Top

conservation defense

Conservation Defense Advisory Council We are delighted to announce that 19 national conservation leaders accepted the Alliance's invitation to serve on the Conservation Defense Advisory Council. Members of the Advisory Council will help shape national strategies to address the many challenges facing land trusts in America. The Advisory Council membership roster (Word, 141KB) and charter (Word, 99KB) are available for your information. Please feel free to call or write with comments on conservation defense to any council member as well as to Leslie Ratley-Beach, Land Trust Alliance Conservation Defense Director, lrbeach@lta.org, 802-262-6051. Read more

Wyoming Attorney General Files Suit in Hicks v. Dowd Termination Case The Wyoming attorney general filed a lawsuit against the Johnson County Commission for violation of their fiduciary duty to county residents when they terminated the conservation easement on the 1,000-acre Meadowood Ranch in 2002. That extinguishment has since been the subject of protracted litigation culminating last year in a hearing before the Wyoming Supreme Court. The Attorney General recently decided to intervene after being invited to do so by the Supreme Court. Read more including text of the complaint, news articles and background on the full case of Hicks v. Dowd.

Vermont Supreme Court Sets Precedent In June the Vermont Supreme Court decided that an exercise of a Right of First Refusal embedded in a conservation easement co-held by three Vermont conservation entities was triggered by an offer to purchase that included additional land or a "package deal." The court also held that the good faith exercise of the Right of First Refusal did not constitute "tortuous interference with a contract." Read more Back to Top

the learning center

New Curriculum Course! Take a look at this brand new Curriculum course on The Learning Center, Nonprofit Law and Recordkeeping for Land Trusts, Volume I: Complying with Federal, State and Local Law. This is available to board and staff of member land trusts and partner organizations, and to individual members at the $250 level and above. Membership info This course will familiarize you with the types of laws and regulations governing nonprofits, including: Incorporating as a nonprofit and maintaining that status in good standing Obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status Complying with laws that apply to land trusts as small businesses

Asking Questions. Getting Answers. Question: "We are working with a landowner who wants to construct wind turbines on his 320 acres. We are willing to write him a conservation easement, however we want to put appropriate language under Permitted Uses. Has anyone worked with this before? If so, what language did you use?" Find out the Answer If you have questions of your own, join in the discussion by checking out the Forums on The Learning Center. Here you can network with colleagues and tap into the expertise of conservation experts across the country. Ask questions. Share your success stories. Answer questions and share your experience! Back to Top

accreditation

2009 Accreditation Application Registration System Now Open The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, launched its online registration for 2009 accreditation applications on Monday, August, 11. The registration system allows land trusts to sign up for a specific application due date ("application round") in 2009. Land trusts ready to apply for accreditation in 2009 will complete an online registration form and submit a registration fee. Read more Back to Top

eNews is edited and produced by Francesca Dalleo, Communications Specialist at the Alliance.

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IN THIS ISSUE

>> A Special Evening >> Come Discuss IRS Audits and Alliance Policy Priorities at Rally >> Free Land Trust Technology Clinic >> Conservation Defense Advisory Council >> Wyoming Attorney General Files Suit in Hicks v. Dowd Termination Case >> Vermont Supreme Court Sets Precedent >> New Curriculum Course! >> Asking Questions. Getting Answers. >> 2009 Accreditation Application Registration System Now Open

UPCOMING EVENTS September 18-21 | Pittsburgh, PA >>Register by August 25

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