Resources For Land Trusts
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026.
The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts Inc. documents highlighting how land trusts can add an extra layer of legal protection to land they own to ensure it rema...
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An overall perspective on the basic processes involved in nonprofit financial management, published by the Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits.
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026.
Materials that explore the legal, practical, and organizational challenges of protecting conservation land in perpetuity. Includes enforcement responsibilities, risk...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026.
Planned giving refers to charitable gifts that require some planning before they are made. These resources introduce what planned giving is, outline reasons land tru...
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Presentation and accompanying article from the 2024 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference.
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Reviewed on: 9/22/2025
Sample policy describing the conditions of acceptance, land trust services, procedure, grantee and grantor obligations for a conservation restriction.
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026.
Explores opportunities available under Section 2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, particularly the post-mortem donation of a conservation easement. Demonstrates t...
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The guide presents the principles of ethical conduct, accountability, and transparency that the panel encourage all organizations to follow.
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026.
Provides official state guidance on Massachusetts tax title law, including procedures for collecting delinquent taxes, foreclosing on tax title property, and disposi...
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Background information intended to assist attorneys in locating cases that cover some of the major legal issues surrounding property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations.
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This workshop discusses how recent tax case rulings may affect property tax exemptions on land owned by land trusts for conservation purposes; how land trust Articles of Incorporation support their pr...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026.
Resources explaining how conservation and recreation land is protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution and how those protections are maintained ov...
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Guidelines for 501(c)(3) organizations who wish to lobby.
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A presentation on the Department of Justice (DOJ) rules regarding access to recreation facilities by people with mobility disabilities, effective March, 2011. This presentation was given at the Mass...
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One response to the alarming, emerging issue of local assessors taxing non-profit land trusts on all or some of their properties.
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The purposes clause of a land trust's Articles of Incorporation needs to accent any and all approaches that the organization does or plans to take to accomplish its goals of protection. A well-writt...
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Racial Equity Stages resource linked here.
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The guide endorses nine strategic recommendations for adoption by the Commonwealth's public and private sectors. The recommendations are based on regional and national best practices. View guide here
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Resources to help you improve your land trust's record keeping practices.
Toolkit summary sheet and descriptionVideo of Standards and Practices: How to Run a Land Trust ResponsiblyLink to LTA's summar...
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An Act relative to the recovery of attorney's fees for conservation restriction enforcement, Chapter 184, Section 32.
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