Land trusts came together to form the Land Trust Alliance in 1982 to do the things that no single organization can do on its own. Things like leading nationwide advocacy. Setting standards to ensure land trust excellence and earn the public’s trust. Providing insurance for easement defense.

We also empower land conservation organizations to do more as their people become more skilled, connected and inspired. Alliance members have exclusive access to dozens of benefits including training and professional development, guidance, education resources, networking events and other important programs. Learn about the benefits of land trust and affiliate membership below.

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Benefits at a glance

Explore all the benefits and services that are available to all Alliance members, including their staff and board.

Professional development

Providing resources to learn, connect and grow.

We provide the staff, board members and volunteers of our member organizations with standards, training and expertise so you have what you need to run and advance your organization.

Peer groups

There is something special about connecting with your peers. We connect our members to each other, to experts and to potential partners so you never feel alone. Visit your region's homepage or search "peer groups" in the search bar to learn more.

"Five years ago I was a part-time executive director, and now we have five full-time staff. We've accomplished so much, and the Alliance's mark is on all of that."
Terri Lane, executive director, Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (accredited)
Field Services

On-the-ground support

The Alliance's regional staff are placed strategically across the country to provide local support and training that helps develop networks, empower change and grow conservation impact in every corner of the country. Their support ranges in size and scope, from deep investment in organizational leadership to simply offering a sympathetic ear.

Altogether over 40 years, these individual investments of time, energy and caring have added up to profound and often community-wide impacts.

The Alliance's regional staff are placed strategically across the country to provide region-specific support and training.

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One-of-a-kind insurance

Insurance for private land conservation.

In 2011, the Land Trust Alliance created Terrafirma, a charitable risk pool only for land trusts to insure them against the legal costs of safeguarding conservation. Terrafirma is owned exclusively by its 545 land trust members, and as of 2022, has insured 10 million acres of conserved land.

Land Trust Alliance land trust members are eligible to join this unique safety net for legal expenses so that they have the confidence and capability to uphold conservation in perpetuity.

Advocacy

Advocating for you

The Land Trust Alliance works with our members and partners to collectively advocate on behalf of land conservation. Together we’ve enacted key reforms, including:

  • Making permanent the federal conservation easement tax incentive in 2015.

  • Increasing funding for agricultural easements in the 2018 Farm Bill.

  • Permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 2019.

  • Adding $20 billion in funding for the Farm Bill conservation programs through the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

"The Alliance has helped in so many ways. I really appreciate their prompts, so I know when things are happening and when to contact my representatives. They provide so much information about the issues that I feel I can speak with confidence about our position."
Ellen Gass, conservation director at the accredited Texas Land Conservancy