Benefits and Risks of Recreational and Educational Public Access on Fee Lands

Recreation and education are the most important well-being needs that Land Trust Alliance members use to prioritize and complete an average of 3,500 projects each year. These projects, from large trail systems to small passive parks, provide widespread benefits to communities, land trusts and even to the land itself. Providing these benefits does not come without risks: legal, reputational, ecological and others. As a stewardship practitioner or land trust decision-maker, you need a basic understanding of the legal framework that applies to public access on fee-owned properties. You could also use inspiration, strategies and true stories from other land trusts that are successfully managing risks and enjoying the benefits that come with public access. You’ll want to attend whether your organization is already providing public access and looking for ways to improve, or your organization is just thinking about providing public access. 

Join the Alliance’s conservation defense education manager Ailla Wasstrom-Evans, Loon Echo Land Trust’s executive director Matt Markot, and Land Trust of North Alabama’s land manager Andy Prewett for this webinar. Here’s a look at what they will cover:

• The basics of recreational immunity law, premises liability, property insurance and where to get specific information to guide your organization. While state and local law varies on application of these legal principles, this webinar will provide a general overview to serve as a starting point.

• Organizational, community, ecological and other benefits of recreational and educational public access.

• Approaches our speakers have taken to preserve and strengthen these benefits, such as working with specific groups to maintain trails and leveraging community awareness for fundraising.

• Legal, reputational, ethical and ecological risks of recreational and educational public access.

• Approaches our speakers have taken to minimize and manage those risks, such as internal review and decision-making processes.

This webinar is included in the 2025 Webinar Pass.

Participants in Land Trust Alliance events should review and agree to the Alliance Code of Conduct.