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    Land trusts are, at the heart, community-based organizations. Many land trusts have already been working creatively to expand the ways in which they engage and partner with broader segments of their communities. And, over the last several years, members of the Land Trust Alliance’s community have requested support along their journeys of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Many land trusts share the conviction that such work is important and desire to learn the skills and build the relationships necessary to do this work well.

    Applying Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles to the work we already do can feel daunting, let alone engaging in new areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-focused work. Do you think you’d benefit from a peer group that is working through some of the same questions? We invite you to join a small group of your land trust peers from across northern New England to expand your knowledge, learn new skills, find a place for support and share your successes.

    You are invited to join the 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Peer Group!

    This is a space to share with and learn from other land trusts engaging in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work and to build cultural competency, including how to respectfully engage and work in allyship with Indigenous communities.

    Beginning in Feb and running through Nov. you’ll find multiple ways to connect and learn with others in formal trainings as well as structured network and relationship building activities.

    Applications to join are being accepted through Jan. 19.

    This group is being supported by generous donors to the Land Trust Alliance, including the Davis Conservation Foundation, Onion Foundation and an anonymous donor.

    Eligibility

    This cohort experience is being designed to bring staff and board leadership together for learning. Space is limited. We are looking for a group of land trusts that are committed to this work as well as to active participation. Additionally, we are looking for land trust participants that meet these criteria:

    • Your organization is a member of the Land Trust Alliance.

    • You work in one or more of these eligible states: Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont.

    • Preference will be given to groups that demonstrate an organizational commitment to this work and have two to three individuals — ideally including one staff person and one board member — that are willing to participate.

    Program elements

    There are three elements to this program — click each below to learn more.

    Cost

    The registration fee is $500 per organization for the full program. We do not want this to prohibit organizations from participating. Please let us know in the application if you’d like a scholarship for your organization to participate.

    We estimate the value of the program to be $2,500 per participant for this series of learning opportunities over a 10-month period. We are grateful to generous supporters for making it possible to keep the registration fee low, and to additionally enable us to offer scholarships.

    Timeline and time commitment

    • The program will run from Feb. to Nov. 2024.

    • As a cohort, we will meet virtually once a month for 90 minutes. The duration and timing may be refined with the cohort once it is selected.

    • The cohort will also meet in-person once over the course of the year, for either a half- or full- day retreat, to be determined with the cohort.

    • In addition to meeting monthly for 90-minutes, we expect participants will spend 1-2 hours of time completing assignments and/or reading in between meetings

    Apply

    Please submit one application per organization. We know this work is challenging and nuanced. Application responses will be kept confidential to the Alliance review team, and the consultant supporting the cohort.

    While we hope to accommodate everyone who is interested, we may need to limit the number of participants. Accepted applicants will receive an invitation to join the cohort. Applications are due by Jan. 19.

    Having trouble with this form? You can send your application directly to webmaster@lta.org. Please include the above information in your email.