Resource Library
Resources
Whether you’re a volunteer, staff member, or board leader, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s Resource Library is here to support your work in conserving and stewarding land across the state.
Organized by topic, this collection offers practical tools, templates, case studies, and expert guidance tailored to the needs of Connecticut’s land trusts. From legal and financial management to community engagement, stewardship, and climate resilience, our goal is to help you navigate challenges, build capacity, and strengthen your organization.
Explore the topics that matter most to your work—and check back often, as we regularly update the library with new and relevant resources.
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Fireflies are more than a summer spectacle—they’re vital indicators of habitat health. This resource collection, inspired by CLCC’s Illuminating Conservation webinar with the Xerces Society, offers guidance for land trusts looking to protect firefly populations. Explore practical tips from Illuminating Conservation: Fireflies, Land Trusts, and the Role of Firefly Sanctuaries, watch a recording of the original webinar videos, and see how land trusts are putting these ideas into action. Perfect for those interested in boosting biodiversity and community engagement through these glowing icons of conservation.
Balancing affordable housing with land conservation doesn’t have to be a trade-off. This guide from the Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing & Conservation offers actionable strategies for integrating housing and open space planning at the local level. With tips on zoning reform, community preservation funds, and intermunicipal collaboration, it’s a smart resource for land trusts and municipalities navigating growth, equity, and sustainability. Great for sparking productive partnerships between housing and conservation advocates.
Developed through a collaboration between Aspetuck Land Trust and Yale School of the Environment, this toolkit offers land trusts concrete tools and inspiring models to advance land justice—from cultural easements to Buy-Protect-Sell strategies. It explores how land trusts can support equitable access to land, especially for BIPOC and other historically marginalized communities, while fulfilling their conservation missions. Rich with examples, definitions, and actionable frameworks, it’s a must-read for any land trust aiming to align conservation with equity and community well-being.
Welcome to the Board Development Toolkit, a comprehensive, 7-part resource developed by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council and the Land Trust Alliance to help you build stronger, more effective boards to support the success of your land trust. Whether you are facing challenges in recruiting new board members, clarifying roles and responsibilities, or planning for leadership transitions, this toolkit is designed to provide practical tools and insights tailored to your needs.
In Part 1 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore a number of board diagnostic tools, and why they are important. Before improving your board’s effectiveness, it’s essential to understand its current strengths, gaps, and areas for growth. Diagnostic tools help your land trust: 1) Identify skillsets, demographics, and perspectives represented on your board; 2) Pinpoint areas where your board’s composition or practices may need improvement; 3) Create a foundation for targeted recruitment, training, and role clarification efforts. By conducting a thorough assessment of the current board, your organization can recruit to fill gaps and better align its board’s composition and capacity with its strategic goals and mission.
In Part 2 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore why mission, vision, values, and strategy matter. A strong board is guided by a clear understanding of the land trust’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals. These foundational elements are not just words on paper; they shape decisions, inspire action, and keep your board aligned with your organization’s purpose and priorities.
In Part 3 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore why succession planning matters. Succession planning is a critical component of organizational sustainability and growth. Land trusts, like all mission-driven organizations, will inevitably face leadership transitions, whether on the board or within staff and volunteer roles. Planning for these transitions ensures continuity, protects institutional knowledge, and provides an opportunity to bring in fresh perspectives.
In Part 4 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore why defining board roles and responsibilities matter. Clear roles and responsibilities are the foundation of an effective and engaged board. Without a shared understanding of expectations, it can be challenging to recruit committed members, allocate tasks efficiently, or maintain accountability. Prospective board members are more likely to join—and thrive—when they know exactly what is involved in serving. Defining roles also helps land trusts avoid the “warm body” problem of accepting anyone willing to join the board, which often results in mismatched skills and disengagement.
In Part 5 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore why effective recruitment matters. Finding and attracting the right board members is essential for a land trust’s success. Effective recruitment strategies ensure that boards are diverse, skilled, and equipped to meet organizational needs. By identifying gaps, articulating expectations, and casting a wide net, land trusts can avoid the common pitfall of relying solely on the networks of current board members. This also helps to address the “warm body” problem, where boards accept anyone willing to join due to desperation, often resulting in disengaged or mismatched members. Thoughtful recruitment also helps to vet candidates effectively, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
In Part 6 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore why onboarding and training matter. Effective onboarding and ongoing training are crucial for ensuring that board members are engaged, informed, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to your land trust’s success. Onboarding provides new members with the tools they need to understand their roles and responsibilities, while continued training ensures that all board members stay current with best practices, legal obligations, and organizational priorities. Investing in these processes strengthens the board’s capacity, fosters a culture of continuous learning, and promotes long-term success.
In Part 7 of CLCC’s Board Development Toolkit, we explore why board accountability and evaluation matter. Accountability and evaluation are essential components of effective governance and organizational success. While there is some overlap with the “Diagnostic Tools” section, accountability and evaluation emphasize the cyclical nature of board development: diagnosing challenges, implementing improvements, assessing their effectiveness, and refining further. This process ensures that boards remain focused, efficient, and aligned with their land trust’s mission.
A powerful photo can do more than words alone — and this guide from Community Consultants and W Design shows you how to capture and select images that connect. Packed with tips for framing, lighting, and emotional impact, it’s designed to help nonprofits build a strong photo library for newsletters, websites, and outreach. Ideal for land trusts looking to elevate their storytelling through images that resonate and inspire.