Establishing an Outline of the Strategic Conservation Plan

While the details of strategic conservation planning are as unique as each land trust, there are four common steps land trusts take in crafting effective plans

In 2021 the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust began the process of reviewing and

revisioning its 10-Year Strategic Conservation Plan, last updated in 2011.

Land trusts typically must manage multiple projects and make hard choices among worthy prospects. Making decisions can be challenging if you lack a comprehensive land protection strategy for your region. This document lays out the benefits of developing a strategic conservation plan.

There is work to be done in implementing the plan, so creating a simple checklist of implementation items, including identifying those responsible for each item and establishing a timeline for completion, is a final step that brings accountability to the process.

Identify specific conservation priorities consistent with the land trust’s mission and goals.

This is a strategic plan for 2016-2020 from the accredited Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust created this communications plan to describe how it would infuse a climate-forward communications strategy into its branding, outreach and materials.