Standard 1: Mission
The land trust has a clear mission that serves a public interest, and all programs support that mission.
Background
A land trust has the responsibility to act in ways that benefit public rather than private interests. Everyone connected with a land trust’s governance should have a similar understanding of the organization’s mission in the event that the group is asked to take on programs and transactions that further individual interests but that do not advance the public purposes for which the land trust was organized. Land trust goals and programs implementing the mission may change over time, but change should be a deliberate decision. In establishing its mission, goals and programs, the land trust should reflect the needs and priorities of its constituency. Support from the community is essential for sustaining conservation over time, meeting conservation goals, defending conservation actions and obtaining financial support.
Relevant Law
- Charitable Purposes Preservation Act, SBC 2004, c. 59, s. 3
- Review of the act: http://www.carters.ca/pub/bulletin/charity/2007/chylb122.htm
- Society Act, RSBC 1996, c. 433, s. 27.
- Canada Corporations Act, RSC 1970, c. C-32.
PRACTICE
C. Outreach
The land trust communicates its mission, goals and/or programs to members, donors, landowners, the public, community leaders, conservation organizations and others in its service area and promptly responds to public requests for information about its operations.
Background
This practice emphasizes that a land trust must establish public support for its programs. Securing the permanent conservation of protected land will depend on the public’s support of the land trust’s conservation efforts. Land protection is accomplished within a social, political and legal framework that allows for non-profit organizations, public funding, tax incentives, and conservation agreements. Ultimately, the law will govern whether land conservation projects withstand the test of time, and laws can be changed if the public does not support land conservation efforts. Therefore, a land trust should identify the community it serves and then develop mechanisms to build and maintain support for its programs.
Assessment Questions
BC Assessment Questions
- Does the land trust produce an annual report and distribute it to members and donors?
- Does the land trust produce a website and distribute a brochure or letter to communicate its mission, goals and/or programs to landowners, the public, community leaders and conservation organizations?
- If not, does the land trust periodically communicate its mission, goals and programs to the audiences cited above in a reasonable alternative manner considering the level of interest in, and interaction with, each audience?
CLTA Assessment Questions
- How does the land trust communicate its mission, goals and/or programs to the audiences cited above?
Resources: Example Policies & Template Documents
Template Documents
Example Policies
- ITF Sign Policy
- ITF Communicating Info Covenant Acquitions Policy
- TLC Uniform Policy
- NTNB Publications Policy
- CCLT Communications Policy
- LTABC Conservation Carbon Media Release
- TLC Media Release West Creek Wetland Partnership
- LTABC Economic Ecological media release
- Media Monitor First Nations
- GLT poster example
- CVLT Fundraising and Special Events Manual
- LTAUS Media Tips
- Communication Strategy Reports L Vissar 2003
- GPS and GIS Overview Presentation
- Public Service Announce Media Tips
- LBW Paper Shoreline Stewardship for Local Gov
- TLC Newsletter March 07
- Promo Sheet Stewards of the Land
- Newsletter Brochure Layout Tips C Gainor
- NTBC Media Release SSI
- Effective Media Releases Structure
- TLC Press Release
- LTAUS Media Tips for Land Trusts
- IMPACS Branding Summary
- Communication Strategy Reports L Visser
- TLC Logo Standards
- NTBC Media Release
- LBW Keys to Conservation Marketing
- IMPACS Communications Tips
- NT Health Safety at Events
- SSIC Acorn Summer2007
- LBW Conservation Action Marketing
