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.
- Resources
Three subscriptions to our quarterly, award-winning Saving Land magazine.
Unlimited access to the Resource Center, our searchable online resource containing publications, sample documents, online courses and other materials of use to land trusts and other conservation organizations.
Access to a curated library of resources to help your organization explore topics.
Access to the Land Trust Salaries and Benefits Survey.
20% discount on books, on-demand webinars, videos and other publications. Publications include downloadable resources that are free for members only.
Alliance members pursuing accreditation can receive a 60% discount on accreditation application fees.
- Community
Access to support network and guidance provided by our dedicated regional staff for members throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, Southeast and West.
Access to online discussion forums, such as Ask an Expert, Stewardship and the Communicators' Network, where members can connect with others in their community and share their knowledge.
Inclusion in Find a Land Trust for all land trust members.
Inclusion in our Affiliate Member Directory for all affiliate members.
Free job listings and a link to your organization on the Alliance’s job board.
Access to the Alliance’s RFP Depot (request for proposals).
Eligibility for scholarships to our conferences and capacity building grants (as available).
Support in implementing Land Trust Standards and Practices.
- Professional Development
Registration discount for each team member to attend Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference.
Discount on an All-Access Pass webinar purchase.
Discount on individual webinars and regional online sessions.
Registration discount for regional events (as available).
Discounted on-demand training and other virtual learning available in the Resource Center.
Opportunity for land trust members to become Advocacy Ambassadors and attend Advocacy Days.
- Insurance and conservation defense
Eligibility to access Terrafirma, a one-of-a-kind insurance program for land trusts to offset the costs of legal action to defend the public liability for land owned by a land trust and conservation easements.
Affiliate membership benefits from the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, including webinars, phone support and assessment tools all related to risk management.
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.
"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."
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.
Find your region
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.
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:
"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."
