Pennsylvania Land Trust Association is pleased to offer fundraising and membership development assistance to Pennsylvania land trusts. Organization staff and volunteers are welcome to reach out to Sara Painter, PALTA’s director of outreach and development, at spainter@conserveland.org at any time with questions regarding their land trust’s membership development and fundraising read more
Conservation Resources
30
March
19
March
PALTA Publishes Model Amendment of Conservation Easement
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published the first edition of the Model Amendment of Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants. Oftentimes when a change to an easement is desired, it makes sense to both amend and restate the easement document to ensure that the easement is backed by the most modern, effective form and provisions possible. read more
2
December
New Guide: Solar Energy Development and Land Conservation
An enormous boost in solar energy production is one of the actions needed to help stop the dramatic rise of carbon in the atmosphere and better ensure civilization's long-term prospects. The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) recently created and published a new ConservationTools.org guide to explore issues that conservationists may want to consider in order to both read more
14
November
PALTA Refreshes Guide and Updates Model
In October, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association refreshed one ConservationTools.org guide and its Model Release of Liability Form. Refreshed Guide: Release of Liability Form: A Tool to Reduce the Risk of Claims for Personal Injury or Property Loss Accidents happen and, when they do, claims for personal injury or property damage sometimes follow. Defending lawsuits is read more
27
September
2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit Seeking Request for Breakout Presentations
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy are seeking proposals for 45-minute breakout session presentations for the 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit that will be held March 11–12, 2020 at the Blair County Convention Center. Topics should relate to funding, partnerships, implementation, planning, research, and read more
4
September
PALTA Finalizes Trail Group Finder
Following two months of public review of the beta version, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association finalized its tool for finding trail groups across Pennsylvania. The map-based tool allows users to search for groups by county or identify the groups associated with a specific trail. It also allows users to search by trail type and other criteria. The tool’s purpose is to help read more
15
July
PALTA Publishes 24 New and Revised Guides, Including Guide to Permits for Using Conserved Lands
Permits for Events, Hunting, Camping, and Other Uses of Conserved Lands Requiring permits for certain activities on conservation lands (such as events, hunting, and camping) helps land managers ensure that the activities do not negatively impact the land or others’ enjoyment of it. The permit-application process can also serve to inform users of the rules for using the land. read more
26
June
PALTA Publishes New Guidance on Liability Protection
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published new and updated guidance on the protections provided to land trusts, local governments, and other landowners against claims of personal injury and loss of property by people using their land. PALTA developed substantial amendments to Pennsylvania's Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) signed into law by Governor read more
28
May
New PALTA Tool for Review: Find a Trail Group
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published for public review and feedback the beta version of a tool for finding trail groups across Pennsylvania. The map-based tool allows users to search for groups by county or identify the groups associated with a specific trail. It also allows users to search by trail type and other criteria. The tool’s purpose is to help people read more
8
May
PALTA Publishes New Stormwater-Management Guide; Updates Other Guides
The most effective tools to reduce the water pollution and flooding caused by stormwater runoff are green infrastructure, land conservation, and best management practices on farms. PALTA’s new three-page guide Working with Nature to Manage Stormwater serves as a gateway to the wealth of web resources that explore these tools. Guides Updated PALTA has updated and revised 10 of read more
8
May
6.04(a) of Model Conservation Easement Updated…Again
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association added six words to §6.04(a) of the Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants to clarify the provision’s intent. Users are encouraged to adopt this change immediately. The revised subsection reads as follows (revisions in red): Notice to Holder. Before Owners begin or allow a Subdivision, Improvement, activity, or read more
15
March
Encroachment: Permitting Continued Use Without Risking Loss of Ownership
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published a new guide that looks at the common problem of encroachment and a new model document that provides a tool to resolve the problem. Encroachment: Permitting Continued Use Without Risking Loss of Ownership What should you do if a neighboring landowner encroaches on your organization’s property (e.g., builds a shed or extends read more
19
February
6.04 of Model Conservation Easement Finalized
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has finalized the change to section 6.04 of the Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants and posted the updated model at ConservationTools.org. The change is identical to the proposal posted in January. All users are strongly encouraged to adopt this change immediately. Thanks to everyone who offered comments on read more
19
February
2nd Edition of the Model Access Easement for Environmental Stewardship Published
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has finalized the 2nd edition of the Model Access Easement for Environmental Stewardship and posted it at ConservationTools.org. The first edition was developed to help organizations secure long-term access to land for remediating the effects of abandoned mine drainage. For the second edition, the model’s provisions have been modified to read more
19
October
Ensuring the Permanency of Parks and Other Public Lands
On October 19, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association published the final version of the first edition of the Model Declaration of Public Trust. People rely on their parks and other public open spaces as stable, reliable places of comfort, rest, and renewal in their lives. They expect that these places will always be there for them. In Pennsylvania, this expectation is read more
