Home » Updates

Updates for the last year

updated 04/22/24

Model Declaration of Public Trust with Commentary

updated 04/21/24

Model Declaration of Public Trust for Conservation Easements (with Commentary)

added 04/20/24

Model Declaration of Public Trust for Conservation Easements (with Commentary)

updated 04/20/24

Model Declaration of Public Trust with Commentary

added 04/16/24

IRS letter ruling 201110020

updated 03/26/24

Guide and Model Policy for Conservation Easement Amendment

updated 03/26/24

Model Declaration of Public Trust with Commentary

updated 03/24/24

Indemnity Agreements and Liability Insurance: Protection From Claims Brought by Third Parties

added 02/29/24

added 02/29/24

added 02/29/24

added 02/28/24

Preparing a Stewardship Plan 2: Determinations and Decisions

added 02/28/24

Preparing a Stewardship Plan 1: Inventory and Delineate

added 02/28/24

Major Natural Resources

added 02/28/24

updated 02/27/24

A Methodology for Valuing Town Conservation Land

updated 02/27/24

Protecting Open Space and Ourselves: Reducing Flood Risk in the Gulf of Mexico Through Strategic Land Conservation

updated 02/27/24

Schuylkill Watershed Priority Lands Tool

updated 02/27/24

Backyard Open Space: Challenges of Managing Open Space in Subdivisions

updated 02/27/24

Land Trust Accreditation

updated 02/27/24

Land Trust Accreditation

updated 02/25/24

Watershed-Based Conservation Projects

added 02/21/24

TPL-Assisted Referendum Successes

added 02/21/24

Open Space Plan: Perkiomen Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 2016-03 for Referendum on Continuation of 0.25% Income Tax Credit for Open Space Preservation Purposes: Lower Saucon Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 2022-01 for Referendum on Establishment of 0.25% Income Tax Credit for Open Space Purposes: East Allen Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 392 for Referendum on Increase in Income Tax Credit for Open Space Purposes: Whitpain Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 2019.7.11 for a Referendum on the Establishment of Income Tax Credit for Open Space: Lower Frederick Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 2021-04 for Referendum to Establish 0.15% Income Tax Credit for Open Space Purposes: Lower Macungie Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 2022-06 Authorizing Referendum On Income Tax Credit and Property Tax Increases for Open Space Purposes: Westtown Township

added 02/21/24

Ordinance 2016-1 Authorizing Referendum on Property Tax Rate of 0.15 Mills for Open Space Purposes: Newlin Township

added 02/19/24

Lower Frederick Township Open Space Plan

added 02/19/24

Upper Dublin Township Open Space Plan

added 02/19/24

Ordinance 297 to Re-Approve 0.1% Open Space Income Tax Credit: Richland Township

added 02/19/24

Lower Nazareth Township Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Master Plan

added 02/19/24

Comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan: Hellam Township and Hallam Borough

added 02/19/24

Milford Township Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan

added 02/19/24

Open Space Plan: Upper Pottsgrove Township

added 02/19/24

East Coventry Township Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan

added 02/19/24

Whitemarsh Township Open Space Preservation Report 2006-2023

added 02/19/24

Upper Saucon Township Recreation and Open Space Plan (update)

added 02/19/24

Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan Update 2021-2030: Whitpain Township

updated 02/16/24

Pennsylvania’s Recreation Plan 2004–2008: Executive Summary

updated 02/16/24

Open Space Program Handbook

updated 02/16/24

Growing... Naturally: Pike County Open Space, Greenways and Recreation Plan

added 02/16/24

Open Space, Recreation, and Environmental Resources Plan 2021: East Marlborough Township

added 02/15/24

Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan Update: Silver Spring Township

updated 02/13/24

Local Municipal Open Space Referendums in Pennsylvania: 2023 Status Report

updated 02/12/24

Making Restricted Gifts

added 02/12/24

Making Restricted Gifts: Impacts of Restrictions on Charitable Tax Deductions

added 02/07/24

updated 02/06/24

Guide to the Conservation and Preservation Easements Act

updated 02/06/24

Guide to the Conservation and Preservation Easements Act: Pennsylvania Act 29 of 2001

updated 02/05/24

Stewardship Endowment Sample

updated 02/02/24

Stewardship Endowment Sample

added 02/02/24

Negative Easement

updated 02/02/24

Cost of Community Services Studies

updated 02/02/24

Cost of Community Services Studies

updated 02/02/24

The Nature of the Conservation Easement and the Document Granting It

added 01/31/24

Return on Environment: The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Chester County, Pennsylvania

updated 01/30/24

Not a Public Trust

updated 01/30/24

Not a Charitable Trust

updated 01/30/24

Who Has Standing?

updated 01/30/24

Who Has Standing? Conservation Easements in Pennsylvania Courts

updated 01/29/24

Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation in Pennsylvania

updated 01/29/24

Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation in Pennsylvania

updated 01/29/24

Co-Holding Conservation Easements

updated 01/29/24

Co-Holding Conservation Easements: Considerations for Good Management and Conservation Outcomes

updated 01/29/24

Beneficiaries and Backup Holders

added 01/29/24

Beneficiaries and Backup Holders: Providing Third Parties With Rights but Not Responsibilities Regarding Conservation Easements

updated 01/25/24

Mini Recreation and Park Plan

updated 01/25/24

Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan

added 01/24/24

added 01/24/24

West Providence Township Solar Energy System Ordinance

added 01/24/24

Beneficiaries and Backup Holders

updated 01/12/24

Model Documents Overview

updated 01/12/24

Model Documents Overview

updated 01/12/24

Restricted Gifts

updated 01/12/24

Restricted Gifts: Considerations in Accepting, Managing, and Soliciting Gifts for a Specific Purpose

updated 01/12/24

Patricia L. Pregmon, Esq.

updated 01/12/24

Reducing Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax

updated 01/12/24

Reducing Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax

updated 01/10/24

Inheritance and Estate Tax Act (PA)

added 01/09/24

Making Restricted Gifts

updated 01/09/24

Installment Agreement

updated 01/09/24

Installment Agreement

updated 01/08/24

Conservation Easements in Court

updated 01/08/24

Seller Take Back Financing

updated 01/05/24

Seller Take Back Financing

updated 01/04/24

Seller Take Back Financing

updated 01/04/24

Seller Take Back Financing

updated 01/04/24

Conservation Easements in Court

updated 01/03/24

Conservation Easements in Court: A Review of Easement Violation and Enforcement Litigation in Pennsylvania

updated 12/18/23

updated 12/18/23

updated 12/15/23

Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

added 12/08/23

Justin Hollinger, Esq.

updated 12/07/23

Indemnity Agreements and Liability Insurance

updated 12/07/23

Indemnity Agreements and Liability Insurance: Protection From Claims Brought by Third Parties

updated 11/27/23

Recordkeeping for Conservation Easement Stewardship

updated 11/27/23

Recordkeeping for Conservation Easement Stewardship

updated 11/22/23

Bridge Loans for Conservation Purchases

updated 11/22/23

Bridge Loans for Conservation Purchases: Borrowing from Revolving Loan Funds

updated 11/21/23

Using the Model Conservation Easement

updated 11/21/23

Using the Model Conservation Easement

added 11/14/23

2021 Pennsylvania Land Trust Census Report

added 11/14/23

2019 Pennsylvania Land Trust Census Report

updated 11/10/23

updated 11/10/23

Costs of Owning and Operating Preserves

updated 11/09/23

Costs of Owning and Operating Preserves

updated 11/09/23

Costs of Owning and Operating Preserves

updated 11/08/23

updated 11/07/23

updated 11/07/23

updated 11/07/23

North Salem Open Land Foundation: Stewardship Calculator

updated 11/07/23

Brandywine Conservancy: Calculation Template for Preserves

updated 11/07/23

Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Records Retention Procedures

added 11/02/23

Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Records Retention Procedures

updated 11/02/23

A Guided Tour of the Conservation Easement Enabling Statutes

added 10/31/23

Brandywine Conservancy: Calculation Template for Preserves

added 10/31/23

North Salem Open Land Foundation: Stewardship Calculator

updated 10/20/23

Co-Holding Conservation Easements: Considerations for Good Management and Conservation Outcomes

updated 10/20/23

Co-Holding Conservation Easements

updated 10/20/23

Backup Grantee (alternatively, Backup Holder)

updated 10/20/23

Stewardship Funding Arrangements: Options for Financing the Obligations of Conservation Easement Holders

updated 10/19/23

Stewardship Funding Arrangements

updated 10/19/23

Legal Considerations for Stewardship Funding Arrangements: Binding Present and Future Landowners to Present Promises

updated 10/12/23

Open Space Program Handbook

updated 10/12/23

Stewardship Funding Arrangements

updated 10/12/23

Stewardship Funding Arrangements: Options for Financing the Obligations of Conservation Easement Holders

updated 10/12/23

Funding Conservation Easement Stewardship: Your Role as the Land's Owner and Conservation Champion

updated 10/11/23

Legal Considerations for Stewardship Funding Arrangements

updated 10/11/23

Legal Considerations for Stewardship Funding Arrangements: Binding Present and Future Landowners to Present Promises

updated 10/10/23

Donation of Stock and Other Securities

updated 10/10/23

Donation of Stock and Other Securities

updated 10/04/23

Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

updated 09/28/23

Realty Transfer Tax Exclusions for Conservation-Related Transactions in Pennsylvania

updated 09/28/23

Drafting an Amendment and Restatement of a Grant of Conservation Easement

updated 09/26/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 09/26/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

updated 09/26/23

Carbon Rights and Assignment of Carbon Credit Sale Proceeds

added 09/25/23

Amend OR Amend and Restate

updated 09/22/23

Carbon Rights and Assignment of Carbon Credit Sale Proceeds

updated 09/22/23

Drafting an Amendment and Restatement of a Grant of Conservation Easement

updated 09/22/23

Drafting an Amendment and Restatement of a Grant of Conservation Easement

added 09/22/23

Amend OR Amend and Restate: Matching Approach to Situation When Making Changes to a Conservation Easement

updated 09/15/23

Investment of Nonprofit Financial Assets

updated 09/15/23

Investment of Nonprofit Financial Assets

updated 09/14/23

Poll: Investment Governance Practices for Nonprofits

updated 09/14/23

Investment Policy Statements for Nonprofit Organizations

updated 09/14/23

Nonprofit Guide to Prudent Investing

updated 08/23/23

Succession Planning for Nonprofits

updated 08/23/23

Succession Planning for Nonprofits

added 08/22/23

Carbon Rights and Assignment of Carbon Credit Sale Proceeds

updated 08/22/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

updated 08/22/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

updated 08/22/23

Carbon Rights and Assignment of Carbon Credit Sale Proceeds: Providing Conservation Easement Holders the Potential to Receive Carbon-Related Benefits

updated 08/22/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 08/22/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 08/19/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 08/19/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

updated 08/19/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

added 08/19/23

Carbon Rights and Assignment of Carbon Credit Sale Proceeds: Providing Conservation Easement Holders the Potential to Receive Carbon-Related Benefits

added 08/16/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

updated 08/16/23

Volunteers: Guidance for Recruiting, Training, Managing, and Retaining Unpaid Workers

updated 08/16/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 08/16/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

added 08/16/23

The California Air Resources Board’s US Forest offset protocol underestimates leakage

updated 08/15/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

updated 08/15/23

Volunteers: Guidance for Recruiting, Training, Managing, and Retaining Unpaid Workers

updated 08/14/23

updated 08/14/23

Volunteers: Guidance for Recruiting, Training, Managing, and Retaining Unpaid Workers

added 08/08/23

Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration in Conservation Easements

added 08/03/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 08/03/23

The Intersection of Carbon Offsets and Conservation Easements

updated 07/26/23

Working Forest Conservation Easement: A Property Rights-Based Tool for Conservation

updated 07/26/23

Working Forest Conservation Easement

added 07/18/23

Carbon Offsets in Conservation Easements: The Essentials for Land Trusts

updated 07/18/23

Not a Public Trust

updated 07/14/23

Not a Public Trust

updated 06/30/23

Not a Public Trust: The Land Trust-Held Conservation Easement in Pennsylvania

updated 06/29/23

Separate Entity to Hold Riskier Properties

updated 06/29/23

Separate Entity to Hold Riskier Properties

added 06/28/23

Separate Entity to Hold Riskier Properties

updated 06/24/23

Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (Title 68, Sections 477-1 et seq.)

updated 06/24/23

Rails to Trails Act

updated 06/24/23

Pennsylvania Equine Activity Immunity Act

updated 06/24/23

Separate Entity to Hold Riskier Properties

updated 06/13/23

Conservation Easements

updated 06/13/23

Management of the Document Preparation Process

updated 05/23/23

Management of the Document Preparation Process