Steps in Strategic Conservation Planning

While each strategic land conservation plan will be unique, there are certain topics that should be included in all plans. Each of the suggested outline topics is accompanied by a general estimate (high, medium or low) of the intensity of resources (time or money) that the topic requires from the land trust. Items that the land trust has already created or can easily generate in-house are rated as low intensity.

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.

This is a sample of different strategic planning strategies from Authenticity Consulting, LLC.

This is a charter and timeline for the strategic planning process from the accredited Mass Audubon.

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

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