Membership

CLCC's membership program is available to land trusts, defined as nonprofit organizations that:

1. Hold conservation interests (i.e. own conservation land in fee or hold conservation easements).
2. Have a primary mission of conserving land and stewarding that land in perpetuity.
3. Identify themselves as land trusts.

Organizations not meeting all three of these criteria are not eligible for membership or associated benefits. Your organization may still contribute to CLCC's mission through a donation or conference sponsorship.

In addition to being part of a state-wide land conservation community, your membership unlocks access to a wide range of benefits, resources, and expertise, outlined HERE.

We encourage you to read through this benefits list carefully so that you can select the appropriate membership level for your organization and can take advantage of all benefits to which your land trust is entitled.

Membership dues are linked with operating revenue to create a fair and equitable dues structure. Organizations may choose to become "base" members, or "plus" members - the benefits for each membership category are outlined HERE.

*Annual operating expenses are defined as the annual expenses that support the general, year-over-year function of your land trust. These expenses may include salaries, rent, postage, printing, programming and fundraising expenses, insurance, routine purchases of equipment and materials, accounting/bookkeeping fees, software licenses, etc.

You should NOT factor in expenses such as land purchases, capital projects, regrants, or other significant one-time expenditures.

Land trust membership runs for the duration of a calendar year. Renewal notices will be sent out annually in December, with a reminder in January. Contributing land trusts are considered members through the end of that calendar year. CLCC will not pro-rate or extend memberships for contributions made later in the year, so land trusts are encouraged to renew their membership as soon as notice is received.

“Plus Member” land trusts will receive similar recognition and benefits as conference sponsors, creating a more equitable program that makes benefits affordable to land trusts of all sizes.

CLCC will no longer send land trusts a separate solicitation for conference sponsorship - "Plus Membership" is your opportunity to become a sponsor.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We love hearing from land trusts and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

As CLCC continues to expand its services, we hope you will reach out to us about the types of services and programs that your land trust would find most useful.