Tree Troubles – Addressing Illegal Timber Harvesting

As modern conservation practice nears the 50-year mark, threats to conservation easements and conserved fee lands are only increasing. Successor property owners, adjoining neighbors and third parties continue to present stewardship challenges to land trusts as accidental and deliberate tree cutting incidents on conserved land are on the rise. What can your land trust do? Join conservation attorneys Jeff LeJava of Open Space Institute and Phil Oswald of Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC as they discuss the legal and stewardship issues related to tree cutting and timber theft. Jeff and Phil will highlight several recent tree cutting cases they have handled and will share important lessons learned.  

Here's a look at what we will cover:  

• Tips for staff and board on managing a potential tree cutting violation.  

• Documenting tree removal and estimating costs for loss and remediation. 

• Negotiating with the offending party. 

• Strategies for prosecuting legal claims against the trespasser.

If your organization is a Terrafirma member and anyone on your staff or board attends one of the webinars listed below, your organization will receive the Terrafirma risk management discount for the 2024 policy year.