The Conservation Program Handbook: A Guide for Local Government Land Acquisition

Between 1994 and 2008, voters approved almost $32 billion for local land conservation. However, there was at that time no resource available to guide officials as they implemented the voters’ mandates. The Conservation Program Handbook was written in response to numerous requests to The Trust for Public Land for guidance from community leaders who wanted to know how to effectively conserve their iconic landscapes. The Conservation Program Handbook is a manual that provides all of the information—on a broad spectrum of topics—that conservation professionals are likely to require. It compiles and distills advice from professionals involved in successful conservation efforts across the country, including a list of “best practices” for the most critical issues conservationists can expect to face.

About the Author :
Sandra J. Tassel is president of Look at the Land, Inc., a private conservation consulting firm based in Maryland. She has been involved in land conservation throughout her career. Prior to becoming a consultant, Tassel was the director of The Trust for Public Land office in Colorado and was a founding board member of the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts.

Review :
"How wonderful to have a universal resources guide promoting conservation practices. This book will enable counties of all sized and demographic to develop best management practices and 'walk the talk' of going green while saving green."
--Pamela Newton, board member, Lake County, Illinois "This is the definitive guide on planning and managing a public land conservation program. It will help government agencies and nonprofits prioritize the right lands, make cost-effective decisions, and build public trust. Why re-invent the wheel when you can learn from the experience of over fifty conservation programs around the country."
--Rand Wentworth, president, Land Trust Alliance "Written in a lively and engaging style, with useful examples throughout The Conservation Program Handbook will be a real help to local officials in deciding where and how to invest conservation dollars. "
--Brad Gentry, Director, Center for Business and the Environment at Yale "For those landscape architects new to the field, this guide will be a valuable tool.. written in a clear, concise series of steps that flows well from beginning to end..."
-- "Landscape Architecture Magazine" "Workmanlike and straightforward guide..Its 54 case studies and sidebars work with the baker's dozen of well-organized chapters."
-- "Planning"