Checklist for Interviewing Potential Land Trusts

Normally landowners will have the choice among local, regional or national land trusts that serve their local area. The most important factor in selecting a land trust is that there be a good fit between your objectives and the mission of the land trust. Remember that you are beginning a perpetual relationship with the land trust and it is important that you fully assess the long term potential for a productive and constructive relationship.

Here is a checklist of key things to look for:

Do I Want to Establish a Long-Term Business Relationship with This Organization?

A conservation easement is a perpetual agreement that places you into a long-term relationship with the land trust. Evaluate the land trust as you would when entering into a partnership for a business enterprise. Issues such as respect, integrity and reputation are important factors. A key indicator can be how the land trust negotiates the conservation easement document with you. If that has been a constructive, business-like and open interaction, then you are more likely to continue to have such a relationship later on.

Does the Land Trust have a Compatible Mission?

All land trusts have somewhat different missions. Some focus on protecting specific resources, such as working landscapes like agriculture and forestry, others on protecting wildlife habitat or a geographical area. Make sure that the land trust’s mission is compatible with your long-term objectives.

Does the Land Trust Have Organizational and Financial Capacity?

The financial stability and organizational capacity of the land trust to monitor and enforce conservation easements is important to its long-term viability. If the organization has a strong financial history, broadly representative board of directors and a strong stewardship program with dedicated staff and separate stewardship endowment fund then it is likely to be around for a long time. You can ask for financial statements and tax returns if you have doubts. A good measure of this capacity is whether the land trust has received or is applying for the Land Trust Alliance’s national certification.

How has the Land Trust Conducted its Landowner Relations?

Most land trusts strive to maintain respectful and constructive relations with their landowners; some unfortunately do not. In order to assess how a land trust conducts its landowner relations, meet with land trust staff to understand their approach and history of interacting with landowners. Whether you feel comfortable with their approach to their monitoring, enforcement and stewardship responsibilities is a key indicator. Also, check with other landowners that have easements with the land trust to understand what their experience with the organization has been.

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