Standard 8: Evaluating and Selecting Conservation Projects
The land trust carefully evaluates and selects its conservation projects.
Background
Having choices about which land protection projects to undertake may seem like a luxury. Many land protection projects are done under great time pressure; the tendency is to protect now, think later. Sometimes that is inevitable. Yet unless the land trust exercises care in reviewing all of its projects, it may find itself with a property or a conservation agreement that serves little public interest, is costly to manage or defend, or does not fit with the land trust’s mission. Every land trust must find a balance between being strategic and being opportunistic. Land trusts that focus on their strategic priorities typically find that they can raise more funds and protect more land. These land trusts work with their partners to develop conservation priorities appropriate for their community. A land trust that does not prioritize and carefully select its projects may open itself to public criticism, credibility issues and even legal problems. In order for land conservation to maintain public credibility, it is essential that all land trusts carefully screen projects for the public benefit that will be provided. Once projects are selected, the land trust must determine how best to protect a given property’s resources. For each property, sufficient information must be gathered to make sound judgments and avoid unacceptable risks.
Relevant Law
- Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c. 250, s. 219:
- Receiver General – to hold Covenants in BC:
- Income Tax Act, SC 1985, c. I, s. 149.1 (6.3);
see also Canada Revenue Agency policy interpretations at
- Environmental Management Act, SBC 2003, c. 53, s. 40
- Contaminated Sites Regulation, BC Reg. 375/96, as am., s. 3.
- Canada Revenue Agency policy interpretation of Income Tax Act, SC 1985, c. I;
see Income Tax Technical News No. 26 at:
PRACTICE
B. Project Selection and Criteria
The land trust has a defined process for selecting land and conservation agreement projects, including written selection criteria that are consistent with its mission.
Background
Selection criteria are a key component of a land protection program. Criteria are the rough screens that a land trust uses to assess land conservation projects at the outset. Criteria may evaluate a project’s location, size or resource values. This practice clarifies that the criteria should reflect the organization’s mission. Criteria often focus first on the land, but include additional tests for project feasibility and long-term sustainability. The practice also emphasizes that the project selection process should evaluate the land trust’s capacity to meet its future responsibilities of stewarding the land or easement. Land trusts should recognize that some opportunities will not fit within the land trust's objectives and criteria.
Assessment Questions
CLTA Assessment Questions
- Does the land trust have written selection criteria?
- If yes, the criteria address (check all that apply):
- Consistency with the land trust’s mission and goals
- Public benefit of the transaction
- Federal and provincial requirements
- Land trust priorities
- Project feasibility
- Capacity and ability to fulfill perpetual stewardship responsibilties
- If yes, the criteria address (check all that apply):
- Are projects declined when they do not meet the critera?
- Does the land trust have a written checklist for guiding the organization through the selection process?
Resources: Example Policies & Template Documents
Template Documents
Example Policies
- ITF Assessing Covenant and Land Donation Proposals Connected
- ITF Land Assessment Policy
- ITF Assessing Voluntary Covenant and Land Donation Proposal
- 8B Project selection and criteria - COLT (voluntary land trust)
- ITF Regional Conservation Plan 2005-10
- CVLT Project Selection
- CVLT Regional Conservation Strategy
- DUC Natural Values Report
- LTAUS Evaluating and Selecting Conservation Projects
- NCC Securement Summary
- NSNT Land Securement Procedures
- Science in Conservation Planning on Private Lands
- NSNT Property Selection and Prioritization
- ITF 2007 Annual Review of Regional Conservation Plan
