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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As any land steward knows, not every invasive plant can be eradicated. This webinar explores how land trusts can make thoughtful, strategic decisions about when and why to manage invasive plants, acknowledging both ecological realities and limited capacity.
CLCC’s Anatomy of a Land Transaction is a seven-part webinar series designed to give land trust staff and board members a practical, well-rounded foundation in the core components of land conservation deals. Each session features expert presenters covering key topics—from project selection, appraisals, and environmental due diligence, to surveys, baseline documentation, closings, and post-closing responsibilities—with plenty of tools and resources to take back to your organization.
This 2025 report from the Maine Land Trust Network explores how and why land trusts pursue mergers as a strategy for long-term impact. Drawing from case studies, interviews, and survey data, it highlights key motivations, challenges, and lessons learned from land trusts that have merged—or considered merging. A valuable resource for boards and staff exploring collaboration as a tool for mission advancement and organizational resilience.
This four-part webinar series equips land trust board members and staff with the tools and strategies needed to build a strong and sustainable fundraising program. From understanding donor behavior and building a reliable donor base, to identifying prospects through research and cultivating major gifts, each session offers practical insights to strengthen development efforts. The series culminates with a deep dive into capital campaigns as a long-term strategy to fund land acquisition and reduce reliance on last-minute appeals. Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to refine your skills, this series provides a comprehensive roadmap for growing your land trust’s financial resilience and impact.
CLCC’s report, “Connecticut Conservation Land Trusts & Affordable Housing: Current Status and Recommendations,” offers a fresh perspective on how land trusts can help address Connecticut’s housing crisis while advancing their conservation missions.
The report highlights a growing interest among Connecticut’s conservation land trusts to engage in affordable housing efforts—from building partnerships with community land trusts to supporting projects near conserved lands. It outlines key recommendations for overcoming barriers, including better information sharing, purposeful collaboration, and policy reforms to support dual goals of housing and land conservation.
Curious about fiscal sponsorship and how it might fit into your land trust’s work? This practical guide breaks down what fiscal sponsorship is, how it works, and when it makes sense. Whether you’re looking to support a new project, collaborate with a grassroots partner, or test a new initiative without forming a separate nonprofit, this resource outlines key models, risks, and best practices to help you get started with confidence.