When a mortgage precedes an easement on a property, a foreclosure of that mortgage can wipe out the easement, clearing the property of any requirements for conservation (in the case of a conservation easement) or public access (in the case of a trail easement). This does happen! To guard against this, the mortgage holder needs to sign a non-disturbance agreement, which allows read more
Conservation Resources
19
October
10
September
New Study: Riparian Buffers Provide Numerous Benefits
A new study found just one acre of riparian forested buffer results in more than $10,000 in annual economic benefits, including reducing erosion and flooding, increasing water purification, wildlife habitat, and property values. The study—The Economic Value of Riparian Buffers in the Delaware River Basin—was prepared by ECONorthwest for the Delaware RiverKeeper read more
17
August
PALTA Launches Group Finder for Land Trusts and Other Organizations
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has established the Group Finder at ConservationTools.org. Through various avenues, it provides geographic and other information about land trusts, watershed associations, environmental advisory councils, and other organizations. Land Trust Service Areas You can use Find a Pennsylvania Land Trust to identify land trusts and their read more
6
August
New Report: Sustaining and Improving Forests
A new report by Jeanne Riley and Paul Solomon titled Sustaining and Improving Forest Land Through Comprehensive Plans details the benefits of forest, analyzes threats facing them, and describes tools that municipalities can use to maintain and protect forest land. View the full report here. read more
27
July
Natural Features Reduce Flooding in Lancaster County
With the recent heavy rainfall this week, floodplain restoration and natural features like wetlands (known as green infrastructure) are proving to have an obvious impact on flood reduction. Regional solutions, such as floodplain restoration, inherently decrease impacts that extend beyond a single parcel of land. Reduced flooding and improved water quality are generally observed read more
18
June
New Map Features State Game Lands, Other Tools
Working in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is rolling out an expanded interactive map that adds state game lands to a website already increasingly popular with hunters and other visitors to state woodlands. “This information is timed perfectly, as state hunting and antlerless deer licenses go on sale read more
30
May
New Maps Identify Conserved Land and Land Trust Service Areas
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has introduced two new interactive GIS maps on ConservationTools.org: a map of conserved lands across Pennsylvania, and a map of land trust service areas in the state. Pennsylvania Conserved Land Map This map identifies land across the state conserved by land trusts as well as local, state, and federal government bodies. The map read more
27
February
PALTA Publishes Four New Guides at ConservationTools.org
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association's newest publications, which are described briefly below, can be viewed in their entirety at ConservationTools.org. Social Media Basics for Conservation Organizations Organizations can enhance and expand their conservation impact by using social media to engage new and existing supporters. Crowdfunding for Land read more
22
January
PALTA Releases New Editions of Model Trail Easements
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published at ConservationTools.org new editions of its long and short-form trail easement model documents: The 4th edition of the Model Trail Easement Agreement with Commentary provides an expansive easement instrument that details many issues to avoid potential misunderstandings between landowners and holders. Last updated in read more
