Climate Informed Land Protection Short Course
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About This Event
Land trusts are in the “forever” business, but “forever” is a tough concept — and getting even tougher as climate change upends assumptions about what the future will look like. This four-session short course will help conservation staff think systematically about how a changing climate might change what to protect and how to do it.
Session 1 will provide an overview of climate impacts and explore how they affect the practice of land protection and the choice of land protection strategies. It will help you assess a parcel’s exposure to climate risk and apply relevant climate data to your project selection and due diligence processes.
Session 2 will focus on the design of conservation acquisitions, including project structures and (for easements) drafting approaches that maximize flexibility to address changing conditions and respond to disturbances while maintaining a project’s conservation values.
Session 3 will focus on land protection strategies to address near, medium and long-term threats and opportunities posed by a changing climate, focusing on community resilience to floods, fires and other climate hazards.
Session 4 will focus on integrating stewardship considerations into land protection, considering issues such as visitor and staff safety, restoration and adapting to change.
Each session will include inspiring and relevant project examples. We’ll also include an optional peer discussion at the end of each 75-minute session.
The course instructors will be Owen Wozniak, the Alliance’s land transactions program manager, and Kelly Watkinson, the Alliance’s land and climate program director. We’ll also hear from land trusts and other conservation experts. Participants should come to the course with a basic understanding of land protection and familiarity with their organization’s strategic conservation plan and/or priorities.
This event is part of the 2026 Online Learning Pass.
Participants in Land Trust Alliance events should review and agree to the Alliance Code of Conduct.
© 2026 Land Trust Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
These resources are provided "as is" for informational purposes only, without warranty of any kind. They do not constitute legal or professional advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. They may not reflect current legal developments and should be adapted for your organization with qualified professional help. The Alliance is not liable for any damages arising from use of or reliance on these resources. Views in individual posts and third-party links/logos are not Alliance endorsements. The Alliance is committed to equal opportunity and does not condone unlawful discrimination.
For accreditation-related materials, please also consult the Land Trust Accreditation Commission website.