Action Alerts

Please reach out to your state legislators to ask them to co-sponsor MLTC's highest priority bills for the current legislative session.

Click the link for a message template that you can feel free to use or personalize with some information on why land conservation is important to you or your organization.

In this period of uncertainty regarding federal funding, there are some resources to help federal grantees with steps they can take to protect themselves.

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Since January 20th, a series of executive orders and memos from the Trump administration have raised concerns for nonprofits, particularly regarding a freeze on federal grants and loans. The Office of Management and Budget issued a memo calling for a freeze on nearly all federal grants and loans, effectively pausing funds that had been appropriated by Congress. A judge temporarily blocked this freeze until February 3, citing the need for more time to evaluate the broad implications of the order. The situation has developed quickly, and as of January 29, the administration reversed the freeze with a brief two-sentence memo.....

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Congress is currently debating an extension to the Farm Bill that may include disaster relief for producers affected by hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters, as well as economic assistance to farmers. There is bipartisan support for incorporating the remaining Farm Bill conservation title Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding into this extension. Totaling approximately $13 billion, this money would help protect funding while also increasing baseline funding going forward. MLTC encourages you to reach out to your Congressional Representatives ASAP and ask that they urge leadership to include the remaining conservation funding from the IRA in any extension of the Farm Bill....

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EEA has posted draft regulations to govern implementation of An Act Preserving Open Space in the Commonwealth (often referred to as the Public Lands Protection Act, or PLPA). There is a short comment period, with comments due by 5:00 pm Wednesday, January 22. Comments will also be accepted at a hybrid in-person and virtual public hearing at 1:00 pm Tuesday, December 17. Click the title of this summary to register for the hearing and see the draft regs and additional information.

To help those considering submitting comments, MLTC is hosting a discussion about the draft regs on Monday, December 16 at 2:00 pm. Click the title of this summary to get the registration link.

On May 21st, the State Senate will begin debate on its version of the FY25 State Operating Budget. Please contact your State Senator before May 21 to request co-sponsorship of two important amendments: Sen. Bruce Tarr's amendment (Clerk #1) to expand the Conservation Land Tax Credit; and Senator Susan Moran's amendment (Clerk #80) to increase Department of Fish and Game funding in order to implement its work on Blue Carbon and Statewide Biodiversity Goals.

As reported in recent editions of MLTC's eNews, the IRS is offering a limited window until July 24th to record amendments to existing CRs to avoid potential future penalties related to two provisions of conservation restrictions -- specifically those related to extinguishment and boundary line adjustment. Background on the issue is…

We encourage you to reach out to your state legislators to encourage them to sign on as a co-sponsor of this Conservation Land Tax Credit bill. Read more this bill here...

On May 10, the Massachusetts Senate released their FY23 State Operating Budget, and Senator Bruce Tarr has filed an amendment addressing one of MLTC’s highest legislative priorities -- to increase the annual cap for the Conservation Land Tax Credit (CLTC) program. Please contact your Massachusetts State Senator by Monday, May 23…

S.2820, the Massachusetts’ Senate’s version of An Act preserving open space in the Commonwealth (H.851, also known as the Public Lands Preservation Act, or PLPA) has been approved by the House. We need your help to pass it in the Senate later this week (week of April 11)...