2023 Southeast Land Conservation Conference

Seeking voter approval is a reliable way for cities and counties to fund their parks, trails and conservation lands. This panel will present several case studies of recent successful parks and land ballot measures. In some cases, outdoor recreation priorities were addressed at the same time as other capital needs such as roads, libraries, fire stations and affordable housing. Participants will learn best practices for researching options, assessing political viability, writing ballot language and building privately funded community support. While each state has different laws for covering capital and operating costs with voter approval, across the United States, the long-term success of ballot measures for parks and land is nearly 80%. In 2022, voters authorized over $8.7 billion for parks, trails and conservation lands. This panel will present different perspectives on the process from an elected county supervisor, a county manager, a former mayor and two nonprofit advocates.

Instructors:

• Pegeen Hanrahan, Southeast conservation finance director, Trust for Public Land (FL) 

• Tom Kay, executive director, Alachua Conservation Trust (FL) 

• Terri Wells, county commissioner, Buncombe County (NC)

Space is limited, pre-registration is required

Join us for an educational hike through our Core Preserve. Learn about the mission and purpose of Lula Lake Land Trust as well as the rich history of the region as we embark on a moderate 4-mile journey through our Core Preserve. This hike will feature incredible bluff views, stunning creek crossings and of course, an up close and personal visit to the famous Lula Falls. Handicapped parking and access to the Falls is available for anyone unable to participate in the full hike.

All field trip participants will meet at the Registration Desk in the Read House Hotel to carpool to the various locations. Lunch will not be provided and additional details will be sent to attendees closer to the event.

Pre-registration is required as there are limited spots available. Core Preserve is approximately 10 miles from The Read House. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation.  

Presenters will provide attendees with an overview of compliance and voluntary carbon markets including Forest Carbon Works’ carbon programs and carbon financing opportunities for land trusts. Attendees will leave with a well-versed understanding in improved forest management carbon projects and how these opportunities may align with their own communities and partners, and also afforestation carbon projects and how these can be layered to maximize carbon project potential and financing. 

Additionally, attendees will hear about factors affecting land trust carbon program opportunities including an overview of our afforestation program currently focused in the Southeast. Presenters will share examples which highlight how carbon financing is being used to create opportunities for profitable, improved forest management and restoration with private landowners and land trusts across the country while accomplishing their strategic climate and cultural goals. 

Instructors:

• Jake Blackstock, Southeast regional forester, Forest Carbon Works (AL) 

• Sarah Ford, chief forestry officer, Forest Carbon Works (VT) 

• Natalie Stange, executive relationships specialist, Forest Carbon Works (MN) 

Urban land conservation is so vital to the conservation movement –urban nature can reach the majority of our residents in the Southeast. But it ain’t easy!  In the City of Durham, NC, Ellerbee Creek Watershed Association confronts skyrocketing land prices, speculation and regulatory and planning processes that favor growth over the environment.  Our recent work includes closing unused street rights-of-way, preventing foreclosures, repairing streams under regional power lines and managing open nature preserves. But our toolbox isn’t always relevant for low-income people, especially in communities of color.  In these neighborhoods, “green infrastructure” can be “green gentrification.”  How can our work be more relevant to everyone in our community?  We will also discuss ECWA’s work supporting neighborhood groups as they fight land speculation and rezoning proposals and even supporting “conservation subdivisions.”

Instructors:

• Chris Dreps, land protection director, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association (NC) 

• Bonita Green, president, Merrick Moore Community Development Corporation (NC) 

• Vanessa Mason Evans, chair, Bragtown Community Association (NC)

• Donna Myers, stewardship director, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association (NC) 

The land trust community is in transition.  Many land trusts have had their long-time staff leadership retire.  Still others are moving from a predominantly volunteer organization to a staff run enterprise. The work-related drivers of performance and satisfaction for the baby-boomer generation are different than generation X, Millennials, Z or Alpha, sometimes making management and supervision more challenging; it's not "one size fits all." If you are leading an organization for the first time, managing such transitions, or perhaps supervising a staff for the first time, this session is for you!  You’ll learn some practical and proven ways to build on your leadership, supervisory and executive skills, keep your board and staff empowered, and perhaps most important, avoid burnout trying to keep everyone happy.

Instructors:

• Nancy Moore, managing partner, Conservation Consulting Group (WI) 

Conservation organizations and land trusts are increasingly asking how their work can better connect ecological drivers with larger community needs, especially related to climate and equity. Conservation Trust for North Carolina partnered with Duke University to produce a series of mapping tools designed to incorporate climate and equity into conservation planning, increase land trusts’ access to funding sources and support more effective community collaboration. The Nicholas Institute at Duke University developed online tools to help North Carolina organizations consider a broad suite of conservation benefits – ranging from forest carbon sequestration to climate resilience to social vulnerability and more. CTNC also worked with a Duke University Stanback Fellow to synthesize its strategic plan priorities through an interactive GIS model to advance resilience in North Carolina communities where marginalized people are most heavily impacted by climate change. With the right partnerships and access to data, we believe, so can you!

Instructors:

• Mary Alice Holley, director of community innovation, Conservation Trust for North Carolina (NC) 

• Chris Canfield, executive director, Conservation Trust for North Carolina (NC) 

• Chloe Ochocki, master of environmental management candidate '23, Nicholas Institute, Duke University (NC) 

• Katie Warnell, senior policy associate, Nicholas Institute, Duke University (NC) 

The overwhelming majority of land within the southeastern United States is held within private landholdings. The amount of private land ownership makes it critically important to actively steward these lands to ensure we retain and promote sensitive natural resources. The Habitat Enhancement Lands Program is a for-fee service that is designed to assist landowners meet their conservation goals by providing technical advice that is tailored to individual landowners. The objectives of the H.E.L.P. program are introduce active stewards to permanent conservation and to be a resource for landowners that have already permanently conserved their land. Providing sound management advice and a wide scope of streamlined services, through local land trusts can create long-lasting impacts for habitat management, agriculture and forestry. The satisfaction and legacy of well-managed properties that are permanently conserved can create unmatched reward for the future.

Instructors:

• Katie Stovall, conservation land manager, Three Rivers Land Trust (NC) 

Umar Muhammad, land stewardship associate at the Triangle Land Conservancy (NC), and former intern of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy (TN), will share his story of creating a passion, outlet and career in the world of conservation. Umar's path differs from most people doing conservation work today and is eager to share his journey, with hopes that it may inspire organizations to look at other ways conservation can bridge the gap between social economic disadvantaged community's and greenspaces.

Instructors:

• Umar Muhammad, land steward, Triangle Land Conservancy (NC)

• Sayyid Muhammad, intern, Lookout Mountain Conservancy (TN)  

As the executive director of Riverview Foundation and president and treasurer of the Lyndhurst Foundation, Benic “Bruz” Clark has played a role in many initiatives that have improved Chattanooga over the years. He will welcome conference attendees and comment on how far the city has come in recent years. Next, hear from Scott Martin, parks director for Chattanooga, who will share a vision of a ‘city within a park’ — an inspiring perspective on the future of this iconic southern town that embraces the natural beauty of its setting as it continues to be at the center of historic reinvigorations and renewal. Following Scott, hear from Robyn Carlton, an innovative and inspiring force for conservation at the Lookout Mountain Conservancy where she serves as chief executive officer, and a member of the Land Trust Alliance Leadership Council. And finally, Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance, will share updates on the current state of conservation in the nation and our region, while offering guidance on the path toward stronger organizations having more ingrained benefits in our local communities.

The impacts of climate change, from frequent floods to extreme heat, are already exerting the 
greatest burden on low-income and communities of color. Land has a critical role to play in buffering climate impacts to communities and sustaining rural economies, yet land conservation has disproportionately benefited wealthy and White landowners. Thrive Regional Partnership and the Open Space Institute are responding by jointly administering the Resilient Communities program, a pilot grassroots planning program serving four underserved communities around Chattanooga, TN. This pilot project is ensuring the people most affected by the natural hazards have an active, participatory seat at the table and are identifying tangible ways to make a difference in their own footprint of the region.  Participants will learn about the foundations, practices, incentives and lessons learned during the initial stages of the pilot project.

Instructors:

• Joel Houser, Southeast field coordinator, Open Space Institute (TN)

• Bridgett Massengill, president/CEO, Thrive Regional Partnership (TN) 

The greater Chattanooga region is home to many unique trail systems. Lula Lake Land Trust has built over 60 miles of trails on Lookout Mountain, all with a common theme—connecting communities. This session will discuss Chattanooga’s newest 36-mile multi-use trail system, River To Clouds, connecting downtown Chattanooga to Cloudland Canyon State Park and a new 15-mile trail system, the Durham Mine Trails, LLLT’s first universally-designed trails that provide access to all people. The RTC route utilizes trails owned and managed by 5 public and private landowners. In this session River to Cloud partners will discuss how the 20+ year project finally came together and how the route will impact the local community. In 2022, LLLT worked with Catalyst Sports, utilizing extensive input from adaptive mountain bikers, to design the Durham Mine Trails so people of all abilities can access these front and backcountry trails. Patrick Kelly and Eric Gray will discuss how this trail design process could change the future of trail building to offer access to all people.

Instructors:

• Cody Roney, executive director, Lula Lake Land Trust (GA) 

• John Bilderback, program director, Natural Treasures, Thrive Regional Partnership (TN) 

• Patrick Kelly, land manager, Lula Lake Land Trust (TN) 

• Eric Gray, executive director, Catalyst Sports (KY) 

• Charlie Mix, GIS director, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (TN) 

Land trusts looking to hire for entry level positions may learn what universities already know – field biology and ecology majors are being outnumbered by biomedical and microbiology majors…at the very time we need them most! Carolina Wildlands Foundation was founded in 2021 to address this deficit and inspire more conservation landowners. We launched a biological field station on 1,500 acres on the border of North and South Carolina, mostly protected with conservation easements held by the Pee Dee Land Trust. Working with four local universities, we developed field biology internships and research fellowships for field studies ranging from tracking Eastern Box Turtles with GPS/GIS to monitoring 30+ acres of native grassland restoration with drone imagery.  Join us for a lively discussion with some of the 20 students who have benefited. Hear from program managers how this type of landowner/foundation/university collaboration can benefit your land trust and service area and can inspire conservation landowners to create educational opportunities.

Instructors:

• David Harper, field biology internship coordinator, Carolina Wildlands Foundation (SC)

• Brianna Bergamini, prairie keeper, Carolina Wildlands Foundation (NC) 

• Sydney Grant, masters candidate in conservation biology, Winthrop University (SC) 

Join Lookout Mountain Conservancy and REI for a tour of the 27 boulders on Old Wauhatchie Pike. For climbers and non-climbers alike, all are welcome to join. Located at the base of Lookout Mountain and offering quality bouldering at all grades, climbers will have an opportunity to climb the boulders of their choice. Fire pits, scenic views of the city and river, snacks and beverages (beer/wine and non-alcoholic) will be available. Crash pads will be provided. Old Wauhatchie Pike is approximately 5 miles from The Read House. Pre-registration is required and attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from this event.

In this session, we will review the dynamics of a forest carbon project that has engaged a truly regional community of landowners and carbon buyers. We will provide an overview of the Appalachian Carbon Exchange, a new model for building grassroots projects that engender clarity and confidence within a global system. Our landowners, buyers and technical service provider will give their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges and overall story - so far.

Instructors

• Ongeleigh Underwood, executive director, Appalachian Carbon Exchange (TN) 

• Dylan Jenkins, vice president of portfolio development, Finite Carbon (PA) 

• Rick Huffines, executive director, Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TN) 

• Cody Roney, executive director, Lula Lake Land Trust (GA) 

• Shane Totten, director of sustainability, Mannington Commercial (GA) 

Birds are excellent barometers of ecological change and indicators of environmental health, yet current research published in 2019, in the journal Science finds a net population loss of almost three billion birds since 1970. Land trusts are a proven mechanism to protect private lands, create climate resiliency in protected areas through stewardship and conserve wildlife, including declining bird populations, within these habitats. This workshop will demonstrate how the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, coordinated regional efforts and resources, such as the online bird checklist program eBird, eBird science data visualization products and the Land Trust Small Grant Program, can substantially increase the impact and cost-effectiveness of land and bird conservation. We will introduce the Florida/Georgia Fire Conservation Collaborative illustrating how birds can be useful in making decisions about your conservation investments, foster diverse partnerships and accelerate and increase the pace and effectiveness of stewardship on private lands.

Instructors:

• Sara Barker, Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (NY) 

• Heather Obara, associate director, Alachua Conservation Trust (FL) 

• Peter Kleinhenz, Aucilla River Watershed Coalition coordinator, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy (FL) 

This workshop will examine one land trust's experience with creating a membership program that is targeted specifically to hunters. While most land trusts host events and develop programming to engage hikers, paddlers, birders and so on, there is one demographic of outdoor enthusiasts who are often excluded: hunters. While it may seem like land trusts and hunters hold contrasting opinions on conservation, no two groups are more alarmed by the development of land or care more about the protection of wildlife habitat. With the increased interest in sustainability and locally sourced foods, including hunters and encouraging their active participation in your organization will allow you to tap into an often overlooked revenue stream.

Instructors:

• Travis Morehead, executive director, Three Rivers Land Trust (NC)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s new America the Beautiful Challenge streamlines federal funding opportunities from the Department of Defense, Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture and private philanthropy into a single competitive grant program. This new effort offers on-the-ground partnerships an exciting opportunity to receive significant amounts of additional funding for climate resilience and land conservation projects. In 2022, the program’s first year, DOD and DOI contributed $1.05 million to the Georgia Forestry Commission to enhance the resilience of the Georgia Sentinel Landscape through restorative fire management and landowner outreach efforts. In this session, partners from the Georgia Sentinel Landscape will discuss how they built on the strength of existing relationships to successfully apply for America the Beautiful Challenge funding to scale up their prescribed fire work around Fort Benning.

Instructors

• Ken Bradley, coordinator, Georgia Sentinel Landscape (TN) 

• Robert Lumpkin, prescribed fire center coordinator, Georgia Forestry Commission (GA) 

Come hear from two organizations who successfully implemented and saw benefits of saved time and resources using remote technology for monitoring their fee and easement lands in North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Kelder Monar of Mainspring Conservation Trust and Mike Heneghan of Georgia-Alabama Land Trust participated in the southeast remote monitoring grant program in 2022 and will share their experiences in a discussion lead by Kate Losey, Remote Monitoring Program Manager with Land Trust Alliance. They will share their process of choosing remote technology companies, the differences between companies and how their programs met Land Trust Standards and Practices. They will discuss how it improved landowner relations and met broader land management goals. Finally, Kate Losey will present return on investment data collected from the national remote monitoring program and show how land trusts can enhance baseline documentation reports, improve ecological health monitoring and strengthen acquisition decisions and public communications.

Instructors:

• Kate Losey, remote monitoring project manager, Land Trust Alliance (CT) 

• Kelder Monar, stewardship manager/GIS specialist, Mainspring Conservation Trust (NC) 

• Mike Heneghan, director of stewardship, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust (AL) 

   

In this session, Alice will discuss the stages of identifying challenges and prioritizing initiatives to grow development operations into a thriving annual fundraising program. Using TennGreen Land Conservancy as an example, she’ll demonstrate why prioritizing accurate data collection is critical, how data should drive decisions, how to determine growth strategies for programs and people and how to prioritize the resources that you have to make the most effective fundraising program. Together, we’ll spend the rest of the session brainstorming strategies and solutions to your challenges. Please be prepared for an authentic, open and genuine discussion.

Instructors:

• Alice Hudson Pell, executive director, TennGreen Land Conservancy (TN)