Recordkeeping

Detailed organizational policy document describing records procedures at multiple organizational levels.

Have you ever received a request to amend an easement and weren’t sure of the right course of action? Unsure about how to decline a request without alienating the landowner? Have you been confronted with a new landowner who is unaware of or reluctant to abide by the terms of the easement? If so, this book can help.

This book describes the legal requirements for operating a land trust and keeping good organizational and transaction records. It teaches readers how to develop and implement policies to guide how a land trust creates, collects, retains, stores, protects, and disposes of these types of records. It also covers the issue of tax exemption, including the major requirements for maintaining charitable tax-exempt status and an overview of IRS Form 990.

Organizing essential documents in a secure, accessible system is a fundamental part of conservation easement stewardship. This guide describes the systems of 14 land trusts. WeConservePA guide, 14 pages.