Connect Religious Community Landowners

Connecting with Religious Community Landowners

This workshop was originally presented at the 2006 Mass Land Conservation Conference. The goal is to provide insights into what motivates some tax-exempt organizations to preserve their land; how to approach such an institution; how to identify the decision-makers and work with the decision-making processes of these organizations.

1. The Religious Lands Conservancy Project

Active for 4 years; currently supporting 18 religious communities considering preservation.

Project partners:      Crystal Spring Center, Chris Loughlin, 508.699.7167
                             Mass Land Trust Coalition, Bernie McHugh, 978.443.5588
                             RLC Project Manager, Kathy McGrath, 978.369.6766

2. Opportunity

These lands are worthwhile conservation prospects: held for long periods by owners who are careful stewards. Probably the greatest source of land of conservation value still available.

Current financial climate difficult—threat of sale more likely.

3. Introducing the Communities

Many religious communities share consciousness evolved from Thomas Berry and the Great Work: breakdown of earth systems is at such a critical point, nothing else should distract us from this issue, not even the human poor.

Many women’s religious orders are attempting to create a model of life that is possible if all the support systems of our culture collapse. They have been living alternative lifestyles for a very long time with projects connected with the land and sustainability.

4. What would inspire an organization that cannot benefit from the tax deduction usually association with conserving land?

Religious communities are motivated by mission and values. Focus on uncovering the values common to the organization and the land protection community, such as:

A sense of land preservation as a mission.

A concern for the legacy the organization will leave to future generations, responsibility for supporting the web of life.

The importance of relationship to the community, especially to the larger, global community.

A shared tradition of land stewardship.

5. Developing trust between religious community and land trust

Religious groups can break out of their isolation and learn to trust; understand that their co-workers in the 21st century may be those protecting the global commons.

Identify the most sympathetic contacts within the religious group and work closely with them.

Find out what the community envisions for its future, and what role their land will play.

Move slowly; take time to find key elements that tie land preservation to the community’s goals.

Meet with key contacts regularly, document decisions and open issues.

Involve the community’s decision-makers.

6. Identifying the real decision makers

Many groups are independent financial entities, self-sustaining and self-governing.

Some have decision-makers at a distance and uninvolved in practical matters.

Recent trends toward collegiality and consolidation of groups may complicate process.

7. De-mystifying the process

Meet, update and document regularly.

Maintain focus on common goals and values.

Candidly discuss financial details; set realistic expectations.

Encourage landowner to hire reputable and experienced professionals to advise.

Develop a process for solving problems when they arise.

8. Succeeding

Persevere. Communities may be many-layered requiring multiple permissions, or a universal vote of members, to take action.

Work with the community’s situation—some may be in financial crisis.

Help the community to separate consideration of this decision from other decisions about their future.

Use other religious communities who have been successful in preserving their land as examples. Offer contacts.

Seek assistance from those who “speak the same language.” Ask RLCP.

9. How to Work with RLCP

RLCP is active in three phases: Outreach / education, identifying conservation opportunities, pursuing preservation outcome.

RLCP can provide: introduction and background information, “translation,” support at initial meetings until rapport established.

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