Resources For Land Trusts

  • Massachuetts Deed Formatting Standards

    Last reviewed by MLTC: 9/27/2025 Massachusetts Deed Formatting Standards ensure deeds are clear, legible, and recordable by setting rules for paper, margins, and layout. Adopted in 2007 and updated in...

  • Massachusetts Chapter 61 Current Use Tax Programs

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 12/11/2025. Massachusetts’ Chapter 61 programs provide reduced property tax assessments for land enrolled in long-term forest, agricultural, or open space and recreational use. ...

  • Massachusetts Conservation Grants

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026 Set of Mass.gov pages that provide an overview of Division of Conservation Services grants and direct application instructions for major conservation grants. Includes ...

  • Massachusetts Landowner Assistance Programs

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 03/31/2026. A compilation of forestry assistance programs available to Massachusetts landowners, municipalities, and land trusts. Can be used to identify technical assistance, s...

  • Massachusetts Manual on Tax Titles and Foreclosures

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026. Serves as a municipal practice manual for collectors and treasurers, covering core responsibilities related to tax collection, tax title accounts, and foreclosure p...

  • Massachusetts Off-Highway Vehicle Law Information

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 3/17/2026. Overview of Massachusetts off-highway vehicle (OHV) law, including statutory provisions, regulations, and enforcement considerations relevant to land trusts and lando...

  • Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 02/05/2026. An interactive web-based tool designed to support climate-informed conservation and land use planning in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Too...

  • Measuring the Economic Value of a City Park System

    This 2009 report from The Trust for Public Land provides information on the benefits of city parks to such issues as property values, human health and tourism in several cities, including Boston. View...

  • Melanin Base Camp

    Weekly content from Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous and Queer People of Color who love the outdoors.

  • Memorial Benches, Rocks, Trees Sample Policies

    Guidelines for acceptance of memorial benches and the like donated to be placed on conserved property. Memorial Bench Sample Policy - Sudbury Valley Trustees Memorial Bench, Rock, Tree Sample Pol...

  • Merger Case Studies & Lessons Learned

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 11/11/2025 Summary:This collection features examples of complete mergers and collaborations among New England land trusts. These case studies provide valuable insights into orga...

  • Merger Tools & Checklists Toolkit

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 11/11/2025 Summary:This toolkit compiles sample templates, legal memos, due diligence checklists, and other practical resources to help land trusts navigate mergers or formal co...

  • MLTC Legal Advisories

    Please read: The Attorney Advisory Panel of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition issues legal advisories from time to time on subjects of interest to the land conservation community. These advisori...

  • Multi-Partner Campaigns and Fundraising

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026. Guidance and tools for planning collaborative conservation efforts that rely on multiple partners and coordinated fundraising, including setting expectations through...

  • National Climate Assessment (NCA5) Toolkit

    Last Reviewed by MLTC: 02/05/2026. The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) is a synthesis of current science on U.S. climate impacts, risks, and adaptation options, delivered through an interact...