Legal and policy consulting with specialization in land conservation.
AttorneyDebra Wolf Goldstein, Esq., is president of Conservation Matters, LLC, a law firm providing legal, policy, and strategic planning services to municipalities, landowners, and organizations in the land conservation field. Debra began her legal career as an attorney with Wolf Block in their litigation, real estate, and environmental departments. She served as Regional Advisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, overseeing park, recreation, and natural areas grants for southeastern Pennsylvania. She also served as General Counsel to the Heritage Conservancy, assisting with municipal funding initiatives and with the preservation of thousands of acres of woodlands, stream corridors, and agricultural lands. Debra currently chairs the Land Use Committee of Philadelphia’s newly formed Commission on Parks and Recreation, having previously served on the Fairmount Park Commission as vice president and Mayor Michael Nutter’s designee. She has written numerous scholarly and popular publications on open space and recreational liability issues; created an Internet website explaining the “how-to’s” of land protection; and has taught courses for state and national audiences relating to conservation easement enforcement, appraisals, record keeping, and conflicts of interest. Debra holds a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and graduated with a B.A. from Brown University. Publications: Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation http://conservationtools.org/guides/17 A Guide to Pennsylvania’s New Conservation and Preservation Easements Act, The Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly, October 2001 (Vol. LXXII, No. 4). Using Conservation Easements to Preserve Open Space http://conservationtools.org/library_items/9
Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation in Pennsylvania
Goldstein coauthored the PALTA guide Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation.
Conservation Easement
Goldstein represents both landowners and holders in the preparation of easements.
Using the Model Conservation Easement
Advisor to the first edition of PALTA's Model Grant of Conservation Easement & Commentary.
Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act
Goldstein coauthored this guide.
Guide to Pennsylvania's Recreational Use of Land and Water Act
Goldstein coauthored this guide.
Guide to the Conservation and Preservation Easements Act
Goldstein authored “A Guide to Pennsylvania’s New Conservation and Preservation Easements Act.”
Property Tax Exemption for Preserves, Parks, Trails, and Other Conserved Lands
Debra Wolf Goldstein, Esq. coauthored this guide.
Trails for All People
Goldstein coauthored PALTA's guide to Universal Access Trails and Shared Use Paths.
Realty Transfer Tax Exclusions for Conservation-Related Transactions in Pennsylvania
Goldstein coauthored this guide.
Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania municipalities may require developers to provide parkland for new developments. They may also offer developers the option to instead pay fees, construct facilities, or establish privat...
Guide to Pennsylvania's Recreational Use of Land and Water Act: A Law Limiting the Liability of Those Who Open Their Land to the Public
The Recreational Use of Land and Water Act limits the liability of property owners who open their land to the public for recreation. This guide describes the immunity provided to owners in regards ...
Property Tax Exemption for Preserves, Parks, Trails, and Other Conserved Lands
Preserves, parks, trails, and other conserved lands in Pennsylvania are not automatically exempted from real estate taxes. If tax exemption is desired for a parcel, the charitable organization or ...
Realty Transfer Tax Exclusions for Conservation-Related Transactions in Pennsylvania
Many conservation-related property transactions are excluded from having to pay state and local realty transfer taxes in Pennsylvania. WeConservePA guide. 6 pages.
Using Conservation Easements to Preserve Open Space: A Guide for Pennsylvania's Municipalities
This 43 page publication provides an overview of conservation easements and outlines the steps involved in acquiring easements. It describes how municipalities can acquire easements or work in par...
Trails for All People: Guidance for Accessibility and Inclusive Design
How can trail groups, local governments, and land trusts responsibly plan, develop, and operate trails that are accessible by all people, including those with limited mobility? What are best manage...
Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices on Trails and Areas Open to Pedestrians: Creating and Implementing Policies for Accessibility and Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Trails and other areas open to the public for pedestrian use must also be open to motor-ized vehicles used by persons with mobility disabilities. Any type of motorized vehicle must be allowed unles...
Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act
A brief review of the landowner protections provided by the Act regarding claims of personal injury or property loss by recreational users of their land. WeConservePA's "Guide to Pennsylvania’s Rec...
Public Finance for Open Space: A Guide for Pennsylvania's Municipalities
Reviews public financing options for open space protection with a heavy emphasis on referenda. Includes case studies and sample municipal ordinances to place a question on the ballot and to impleme...
Deed Restriction Versus Conservation Easement
In most circumstances, a conservation easement is a far better tool for conserving land than a deed restriction. This guide explains how the tools differ. [WeConservePA guide; 4 pages]