Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition

The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition is a voluntary association of land trusts founded to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information, to increase the effectiveness of Massachusetts land trusts in working with the state legislature and environmental agencies, and to promote high professional standards.  The Coalition has played a crucial role in supporting key conservation legislation and has become an important networking resource for the state’s land trusts.  MLTC counts over 130 organizations as Members and Friends, land trusts as well as watershed associations, open space committees, and advocacy groups.

Contact the Coalition

Bernie McHugh, Director
Email: BMcHugh at massland.org

Kathy McGrath, Programs Manager
Email: KMcGrath at massland.org

Lindsey Sarquilla, Outreach and Training Coordinator
Email: LSarquilla at massland.org

Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
18 Wolbach Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Phone: 978-443-5588 x24
Fax: 978-443-2333
Email: info at massland.org

Purposes of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition

• Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, skills, and information within the conservation movement.
• Increase the effectiveness of land trusts and conservation organizations in Massachusetts in working with the legislature and governmental agencies on issues of direct interest to the conservation movement.
• Promote high ethical and professional standards as outlined in the Land Trust Alliance Statement of Standards and Practices for Land Trusts. Members agree to support this Statement as ageneral guide for their work.
• Increase access to training, education, technical assistance and other resources, including assisting The Trustees of Reservations in organizing and presenting the annual Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference.

Organization

Up to 32 members of the Coalition are elected annually to the Steering Committee, which meets regularly (two to four times a year) to discuss the business of the Coalition and matters of mutual interest. The Annual Meeting is held in January or February; the annual Land Conservation Conference is held in the spring; and a late summer meeting of the Steering Committee is held in September. In addition, the Coalition holds a meeting at the national Land Trust Alliance annual Rally in the fall. The Coalition's Bylaws are posted on this site or can be obtained by contacting the MLTC Coordinator at info at massland.org.

Legislation and Public Policy

A primary purpose of the Coalition is to increase the effectiveness of Massachusetts land trusts and conservation organizations with the legislature and government agencies on issues of direct interest to the land conservation movement. The unified voice and efforts of the Coalition were crucial in securing passage of the 1996 Open Space Bond Bill and the 1996 Rivers Bill.

Written or oral testimony or position statements offered by the Coalition will contain either a statement of the extent of support by Coalition members of a disclaimer to the effect that the views expressed do not necessarily represent every member of the organization.

The Coalition does not endorse political candidates. As a general rule, the Coalition does not take positions on purely local matters. For some recent legislative priorities, see  Current Legislative Issues

Membership

The Steering Committee has voted to assess annual dues of $50 as a condition of basic membership, and annual dues of $250 for supporting membership, $500 for sponsoring membership and $1,000 for sustaining membership. These funds are used to defray the costs of running the Coalition, including the administrative costs of maintaining an accurate mailing list, calling and holding meetings, and managing the web site. For membership detail, see Types of Membership

Become a member today! 2010-2011 Membership Form

The Coalition's Bylaws state: Member organizations shall agree to support the Land Trust Alliance Statement of Standards and Practices as a general guide to high ethical and professional standards in the conservation field. Copies of the Statement can be obtained by contacting the MLTC Coordinator at info at massland.org.

Officers for 2010 - 2011

Bob Wilber, Chair
Massachusetts Audubon Society

Edward O. Becker, Vice Chair
Essex County Greenbelt Association

John Page, Treasurer

Cynthia Henshaw, Clerk
East Quabbin Land Trust

Officers and Steering Committee members are elected each year at the Annual Meeting.