library.weconservepa.org

[Updated Guide] What Is a Land Trust?

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:21:50 GMT

No law dictates who can use the label “land trust.” In the absence of strict authority, this guide aims to improve understanding and use of the term by all who encounter it.

[Updated Library] What Is a Land Trust?

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:18:56 GMT

No law dictates who can use the label “land trust.” In the absence of strict authority, this guide aims to improve understanding and use of the term by all who encounter it. WeConservePA guide. 2 pages.

[Updated Library] Local Municipal Open Space Referendums in Pennsylvania: 2026 Status Report

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:13:40 GMT

WeConservePA analyzed and applied geographic information to LandVote data to produce this report. It includes numerous maps and charts describing the 168 open space referendums offered to voters at the local municipal level between 1996 and 2026. 24 pages.

[Updated Guide] What Is a Land Trust?

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:39:01 GMT

No law dictates who can use the label “land trust.” In the absence of strict authority, this guide aims to improve understanding and use of the term by all who encounter it.

[Updated Library] What Is a Land Trust?

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:35:09 GMT

[Updated Guide] What Is a Land Trust?

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:13:04 GMT

No law dictates who can use the label “land trust.” In the absence of strict authority, this guide aims to improve understanding and use of the term by all who encounter it.

[Updated Library] What Is a Land Trust?

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:09:39 GMT

[Updated Library] Environmental Advisory Council Introductory Guide

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:44:37 GMT

"Environmental Advisory Council: A Versatile Arm for Pennsylvania Local Government" serves as an introduction to EACs. Any municipality in Pennsylvania may establish an environmental advisory council to tap the skills and volunteer energy of its citizens. Consisting of three to seven members appointed by the local government, an EAC can undertake a variety of conservation projects. It can also research issues and advise local government officials to help inform decision-making regarding the environment. WeConservePA guide. 4 pages. [For a more detailed, 26-page exploration of environmental advisory councils, check out the Environmental Advisory Council Handbook.]

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 21:04:49 GMT

The Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants provides users with a state-of-the-art legal document together with an expansive commentary. Built on practitioner experiences and feedback, no easement document in the nation has benefited from more cycles of peer review. Download both the model and the commentary. The commentary explains the reasoning behind every provision, instructs on use of the model, and provides a wealth of alternative and optional provisions. The model was last updated in September 2025 and the commentary in July 2026. (The model and commentary together are 121 pages.)

[New Guide] Nonprofit Change of Address

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:09:47 GMT

Land trusts and other nonprofits must occasionally relocate from one home base to another. Problematic consequences can be avoided with some simple planning and actions. This guide covers basic considerations and provides a checklist for communicating a change of address.

[New Library] Nonprofit Change of Address

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:06:51 GMT

[New Library] Why Municipalities Can Reduce Road Salt Usage Without Fear of Liability

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:02:16 GMT

The quantity of salt applied to roadways has enormous impact on water quality; not so on municipal liability. Pennsylvania courts have clearly affirmed that the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act provides local government units with total protection from allegations that they did not do enough to treat roads for ice resulting from wintery weather. 4 pages. WeConservePA has released this draft guide for peer review. Please submit comments to Justin Hollinger, Esq., at jhollinger@weconservepa.org.

[New Library] The Use of Selected Deicing Materials on Michigan Roads: Environmental and Economic Impacts

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:46:42 GMT

This report analyzes the performance, environmental effects, and economic costs of seven deicing materials: sodium chloride (road salt), CMA (calcium magnesium acetate), CMS-B (a patented product, Motech, containing principally potassium chloride), CG-90 Surface Saver (a patented corrosion-inhibiting salt), calcium chloride, Verglimit (a patented concrete road surface containing calcium chloride pellets), and sand (an abrasive). The data for the analysis of deicer performance are derived from current literature. The environmental effects are derived from literature and from a special Great Lakes chloride loading model constructed for this study. The economic costs are derived from actual and estimated costs and the application of depreciation rates tailored to Michigan.

[Updated Expert] Steven J. Schiffman

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:09:48 GMT

Steven J. Schiffman acts as counsel to both non-profit and for-profit corporations. He is currently outside general counsel to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. He is the managing member of Serratelli, Schiffman & Brown, P.C. Mr. Schiffman practices residential and commercial real estate law, tax law, non-profit corporations, business law, including litigation in state, federal courts and administrative agencies. He is a frequent lecturer to professional groups as well as local and statewide organizations on matters such as estate planning and non-profit corporation law.

[Updated Library] Biodiversity—Our Living World: Your Life Depends on It!

Fri, 22 May 2026 17:46:48 GMT

This is an excellent educational resource on Pennsylvania biodiversity. It is full of photos and information presented in a creative and interesting manner.

[New Library] Determining Material Adviser Status for Syndicated Conservation Easements

Fri, 22 May 2026 15:28:24 GMT

In this Tax Notes article, Kim Tyson and Karin Gross provide a framework to analyze whether a land trust that receives easements from passthrough entities may be a material adviser in a syndicated conservation easement transaction, and they offer reassurance for land trusts concerned about their reporting obligations.

[Updated Library] Model License and Indemnity Agreement

Tue, 19 May 2026 13:46:56 GMT

The Model License and Indemnity Agreement formalizes permission granted by a landowner to another party for use of the owner’s land and limits the liability of the owner regarding the party’s use. The model is designed with the assumptions that the land serves a conservation purpose, the owner is a conservation nonprofit, and the other party is an organization whose purpose and intended use of the land are compatible with the property’s conservation status. Four-page model plus five pages of commentary.

[Updated Library] Model License and Indemnity Agreement

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:38:20 GMT

[New Library] Model License and Indemnity Agreement

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:42:16 GMT

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:26:45 GMT

[Updated Library] Postcard Toolkit

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:39:41 GMT

Download resources to promote Keystone Fund Makes It Possible postcard outreach.

[New Library] Planning & Running a Metal Recycling Event

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:05:11 GMT

This guide draws from the experience of organizing and managing a metal recycling event and includes templates for communicating about an event. 16 pages.

[New Expert] Ann Colby-Cummings

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:01:03 GMT

[Updated Library] Postcard Toolkit

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:48:17 GMT

Download resources to promote Keystone Fund Makes It Possible postcard outreach.

[Updated Library] Postcard Toolkit

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:22:26 GMT

Download resources to promote Keystone Fund Makes It Possible postcard outreach.

[New Library] Postcard Toolkit

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:07:39 GMT

Download resources to promote Keystone Fund Makes It Possible postcard outreach.

[Updated Guide] Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:43:35 GMT

The Act limits the liability of property owners and managers when individuals enter land for recreational purposes, protecting against claims of personal injury and property loss.

[Updated Library] Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:07:40 GMT

A brief review of the landowner protections provided by the Act against claims of personal injury or property loss by recreational users of their land. (WeConservePA's 11-page guide, Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act, provides an in-depth review of the same subject.) WeConservePA guide. 2 pages

[Updated Library] Pennsylvania's Recreational Use of Land and Water Act: A Law Limiting the Liability of Those Who Open Their Land to the Public

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:45:35 GMT

The Recreational Use of Land and Water Act limits the liability of property owners regarding claims of personal injury and property damage when people enter their land for recreational purposes. This guide offers an in-depth analysis of the Act and explains its significance for private and public landowners. WeConservePA guide. 11 pages.

[Updated Guide] Pennsylvania's Recreational Use of Land and Water Act

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:03:15 GMT

[New Library] Lawn Equipment Electrification: Leaf Blower Regulations

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:55:09 GMT

This ordinance restricting the use of gas powered leaf blowers in Lower Merion Township was adopted at the November 19, 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Key provisions:

Use restrictions apply to all persons and entities, including residents, commercial landscapers, contractors, and property maintenance personnel, on all properties within the Township.
2026: The use of gas powered leaf blowers will not be allowed from June 1 to October 1 .
2027: The use of gas powered leaf blowers will not be allowed from January 1 to April 1, nor from June 1 to October 1.
2028: The use of gas powered leaf blowers will not be allowed from January 1 to October 1.
Beginning January 1, 2029 and for every year thereafter, the use of gas powered leaf blowers will be prohibited for the entire year.
The use of electric-powered leaf blowers is allowed all year.
Use of gas powered generators to run corded electric leaf blowers or charge electric leaf blower batteries will not be allowed.

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:15:33 GMT

[Updated Library] Open Space Program Handbook

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:11:38 GMT

This is a draft posted for peer review. Finalization of this publication will occur later in 2026. Please send suggestions for improvements to Andy Loza at aloza@weconservepa.org

[New Library] Sample Stewardship Funding Plan

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:47:40 GMT

The Sample Stewardship Funding Plan is a tool to help conservation easement holders place greater attention on the challenge of securing sufficient funding commitments to meet their easement stewardship obligations and improve their practices to meet the challenge. The sample also serves as an example of a plan that could meet the stewardship funding plan requirement for a WeConservePA Project Planning Grant. 2 pages.

[Updated Library] CEAP Files

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:59:07 GMT

Guidelines and other documents relating to WeConservePA's Conservation Easement Assistance Program

[Updated Guide] Global Positioning System (GPS)

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:41:05 GMT

GPS enables users to easily record the location of natural and man-made features on the land. It allows users to identify where a photo or video is taken, revisit previously recorded features, and more.

[Updated Library] Global Positioning System (GPS)

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:27:28 GMT

[Updated Guide] Amend OR Amend and Restate

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:52:36 GMT

If changes to a conservation easement are necessary or desirable, the easement holder must decide whether to amend and restate the grant of easement in full or simply amend it. This guide assists with that decision and points to resources to aid in implementation of the decision.

[Updated Library] Amend OR Amend and Restate: Matching Approach to Situation When Altering a Conservation Easement

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:38:47 GMT

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Right of First Offer

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:03:17 GMT

The holder of a right of first offer has the opportunity to purchase land at the landowners’ asking price before other prospective purchasers have an opportunity. An alternative configuration has the holder, rather than the landowners, making the first offer. If the right of first offer is coupled with a right of first negotiation, the holder has the further benefit of time for counterproposals and seeking mutually agreeable terms with the landowners before other bidders make competing offers. This model provides for both rights.

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Right of First Refusal

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:01:51 GMT

If an owner intends to accept an offer for the purchase of his or her land, the holder of a right of first refusal has the opportunity to purchase the land at the price and terms offered by the prospective buyer. If the holder of the right declines to purchase on those exact terms, the owner is then free to sell to the prospective buyer. If an owner is willing to commit to providing such a right to an organization, this model is a tool to document and ensure the enforceability of the commitment.

[Updated Guide] Drafting an Amendment and Restatement of a Grant of Conservation Easement

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:58:26 GMT

The Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants may be used to amend and restate a grant of conservation easement by following the instructions contained in this guide.

[Updated Guide] Drafting an Amendment and Restatement of a Grant of Conservation Easement

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:57:23 GMT

The Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants may be used to amend and restate a grant of conservation easement by following the instructions contained in this guide.

[Updated Library] Drafting an Amendment and Restatement of a Grant of Conservation Easement

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:18:14 GMT

The Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants may be used to amend and restate a grant of conservation easement by following the instructions contained in this guide. WeConservePA guide. 7 pages.

[New Glossary] Prescribed Fire

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:02:55 GMT

A planned fire—sometimes called a controlled burn—used to manage certain types of landscapes. It reduces the chance of major wildfires and provides numerous other benefits for humans, plants, and wildlife.

[Updated Library] Environmental Advisory Council Handbook: Guidance for Establishing and Operating EACs in Pennsylvania

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:30:43 GMT

This handbook contains information on what environmental advisory councils (EACs) are, how they are formed and run, and how they interact with their governing boards and their communities. 27 pages.

[Updated Library] Open Space Program Handbook

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:15:32 GMT

This is a draft posted for peer review. Finalization of this publication will occur later in 2026. Please send suggestions for improvements to Andy Loza at aloza@weconservepa.org

[Updated Library] Project Planning Grants

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:59:35 GMT

This library item is a repository for key documents used with WeConservePA's Project Planning Grants.

[Updated Library] Environmental Advisory Council Handbook: Guidance for Establishing and Operating EACs in Pennsylvania

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:41:05 GMT

This handbook contains information on what environmental advisory councils (EACs) are, how they are formed and run, and how they interact with their governing boards and their communities. 27 pages.

[Updated Guide] Environmental Advisory Council

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:25:16 GMT

Any municipality in Pennsylvania may establish an environmental advisory council to tap the skills and volunteer energy of its citizens. Consisting of three to seven members appointed by the local government, an EAC can undertake a variety of conservation projects. It can also research issues and advise local government officials to help inform decision-making regarding the environment.

[Updated Library] Environmental Advisory Council Handbook: Guidance for Establishing and Operating EACs in Pennsylvania

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:17:56 GMT

This handbook contains information on what environmental advisory councils (EACs) are, how they are formed and run, and how they interact with their governing boards and their communities. 27 pages.

[Updated Library] Open Space Program Handbook

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 23:11:58 GMT

This is a draft posted for peer review. Finalization of this publication will occur later in 2026. Please send suggestions for improvements to Andy Loza at aloza@weconservepa.org

[New Glossary] Interest in Real Property

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:25:38 GMT

The legal rights and claims that a person or entity holds over a piece of land and anything permanently attached to it. This might include owning, occupying, possessing, making use of, excluding others from using, or other rights pertaining to the land.

[New Library] Creating a Micro-Forest: A Step by Step Guide

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 21:41:26 GMT

This 24-page guide details the successful creation of a micro-forest in Easton, Pennsylvania. It presents the protocol used to establish a densely planted forest within a small footprint, mimicking as realistically as possible the early stages of a forest ecosystem which can be adjusted to any region’s indigenous climate. Micro-forests transform otherwise non-productive spaces, be it a lawn or urban vacant lot, into thriving, self-sustaining ecosystems.

[Updated Library] Environmental and Possible Human Health Risks of Artificial Athletic Turf

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:40:28 GMT

This 11/10/2025 memo from the Upper Dublin Environmental Protection Advisory Board is an example of the research and reporting role that an environmental advisory council can serve for its municipal government.

[New Library] Environmental and Possible Human Health Risks of Artificial Athletic Turf

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:05:27 GMT

[Updated Library] Schuylkill Township Clean Energy Resolution

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:16:52 GMT

Resolution adopted by Schuylkill Township affirming the township's commitment to clean energy. Also included is a press release describing how the Schuylkill Township EAC was instrumental in getting the resolution adopted.

[Updated Library] Radnor Township EAC Greenhouse Gas Plan Resolution

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:15:31 GMT

A resolution by the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners supporting the Greenhouse Gas Action Plan prepared by the Radnor Township Environmental Advisory Council.

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:07:45 GMT

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:54:58 GMT

[New Guide] The Problem with Non-Perpetual Conservation Easements

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:29:13 GMT

Conservation easements that run for a limited term of years are sometimes proposed as interim measures that lead the way to permanence, as better-than-nothing compromises, or simply as flexible alternatives. In reality, these temporary arrangements may cause more problems than they solve and are a poor use of conservation dollars.

[Updated Library] The Problem with Non-Perpetual Conservation Easements

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:23:08 GMT

[New Guide] Receiving unsolicited offers to purchase your land?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:32:00 GMT

Receiving unsolicited offers to purchase your land? Proceed with caution.

[New Library] Receiving unsolicited offers to purchase your land?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:19:41 GMT

Receiving unsolicited offers to purchase your land? Proceed with caution. One-page flyer produced by WeConservePA

[Updated Library] Not a Charitable Trust: The Donated Conservation Easement in Pennsylvania

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:53:41 GMT

Little evidence exists to support the proposition that a donated conservation easement, in the absence of a charitable trust agreement, is a charitable trust in Pennsylvania; indeed, there is compelling evidence to the contrary. (Holder covenants may be used to buttress easements and do not run into the legal obstacles or suffer from the policy failings of the trust proposition.) WeConservePA guide. 11 pages.

[Updated Library] Delineating Conservation Easement Boundaries and Protection Areas

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:49:36 GMT

Properly delineating the boundaries of conservation easements and their different protection areas is crucial to easement stewardship and enforcement. Conservation restrictions are difficult, if not impossible, to enforce unless tied to physical locations on the ground. This guide discusses the delineation of boundaries and protection areas using physical markers, verbal descriptions, and visual depictions. WeConservePA guide. 7 pages.

[Updated Library] Amend OR Amend and Restate: Matching Approach to Situation When Altering a Conservation Easement

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:47:05 GMT

[Updated Library] Guide to the Conservation and Preservation Easements Act: Pennsylvania Act 29 of 2001

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:45:24 GMT

Conservation organizations can avoid many potential difficulties in conservation easement stewardship by ensuring that their conservation easement documents are drafted to conform with the Conservation and Preservation Easements Act. WeConservePA guide. 7 pages.

[New Library] WeConservePA Participation Agreements

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:15:40 GMT

WeConservePA terms of engagement that policy council and board candidates must agree to in order to serve

[Updated Library] Model Naturalized Landscape Ordinance with Commentary

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:19:28 GMT

Weed ordinances serve to combat problems associated with neglect. But how can this purpose be balanced with a goal to permit or encourage landowners to embrace ecologically beneficial landscape practices? The Model Naturalized Landscape Ordinance is a tool for achieving this balance.

[Updated Library] Conservation Easements: An Introduction for Private Landowners

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:22:10 GMT

A conservation easement limits certain uses of the land to advance identified conservation objectives while keeping the land in the owner’s control. It is established by mutual agreement of the landowner and a nonprofit land trust or government. The easement continues no matter who owns the land in the future. WeConservePA guide. 4 pages.

[Updated Guide] Conservation Easements

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:15:19 GMT

[Updated Library] Federal Tax Deductibility of Conservation Easement Donations

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:01:10 GMT

Some donations of conservation easements qualify for a federal income tax deduction; others do not.

[Updated Library] Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:24:50 GMT

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:17:49 GMT

[Updated Library] Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:44:24 GMT

[Updated Library] The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 19:08:20 GMT

This volume is the first published product of the Pennsylvania Flora Database, created & maintained at the Morris Arboretum of the Univ. of Pennsylvania. The database has its roots in the work of Edgar T. Wherry, John M. Fogg, Jr., & Herbert A. Wahl, the “Atlas of the Flora of Pennsylvania”, published by the Morris Arboretum. Over a period of 40 years, Wherry & his colleagues gathered data from the major Pennsylvania herbaria & manually placed a quarter of a million dots on over 3500 maps. The Pennsylvania Flora Database retains the emphasis on specimen-based, site-specific data. The checklist of included taxa has undergone extensive review to reflect recent taxonomic & nomenclatural revisions. Questionable specimens have been re-evaluated with the result that several taxa included in earlier works were dropped. Recent discoveries have been added & distribution data has been updated. This vol. also includes collections made in the 1990s in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI), the state heritage program. The maps present the accumulated collection of information for each taxon as represented in the herbaria. Illus., reprinted 1996.