How Do I Start a Land Trust?

Land trusts are extremely effective vehicles for conserving land. But with more than 1,600 land trusts already in existence, starting a new land trust may not be necessary, timely or the best approach to achieving a community's conservation goals.

Given the time and effort it takes to run a land trust and the long-term commitment needed to protect land in perpetuity, the Land Trust Alliance encourages you to work with an existing land trust whenever possible.

If you do decide to establish a land trust, we highly recommend you purchase our book, Starting a Land Trust. This publication provides practical advice on how to incorporate an organization and maintain tax-exempt status, how to establish a board of directors and recruit volunteers, and how to effectively fundraise.

Additional resources

• The Standards and Practices Guidebook - essential, comprehensive, practical information about running a land trust according to established principles.
  
• The Statement of Land Trust Standards & Practices - outlines many considerations of starting a land trust and establishing sound organizational procedures, as well as appropriate land transactions policies and procedures.
  
• Complete List of Land Trusts in the United States
  
• IRS Publication 557 - Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization
  
• IRS Form 1023 - IRS application for federal tax-exempt status.
  
  Publications and forms can be ordered by calling the IRS toll-free telephone number: 1-800-TAX-FORM. The IRS also has a toll-free help line dedicated to answering inquiries about tax-exempt applications: 1-877-829-5500. You can obtain a copy of your state's nonprofit incorporation act and information about state filing requirements from your Secretary of State's corporations office.

If you should move ahead with your plans to start a land trust, we encourage you to become a member of the Land Trust Alliance. Dues entitle you to all of the Alliance's services and information, substantial discounts on our publications and the National Land Conservation Conference: Rally registration, and access to our liability insurance program designed specifically for land trusts' special needs. Alliance membership will provide you with a vital link to the national land trust community, keeping you informed of land conservation trends and techniques.

We wish you much success and thank you for your commitment to land conservation. Please keep us informed of your activities and let us know if we can assist you in any way.