BEXAR LAND TRUST, INC., dba GREEN SPACES ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – July 2011 - June 2012 (status updated 1/8/14 skh)
GOAL A. Increase protection of rural and urban properties in the region.
Action Step
Tasks Needed to Accomplish Step
1. Establish Green Spaces Alliance
as a City of San Antonio preferred
partner in the implementation of
Prop 1, i.e., identifying and
securing conservation easements
on select lands in the EARZ.
2. Develop partnerships with
priority landowners for
conservation easements.

Be a full partner with the City as a member of
the Land Acquisition Team and move easement
acquisition processes forward expeditiously.

Follow up on prior owner contacts to determine
continued interest.
Respond to landowner inquiries and do
preliminary assessments of eligibility.
Assess potentially available properties not under
negotiation and make landowner inquiries.


3. Continue with processes for
land conservation within the
region.




4. Acquire land in fee simple
ownership.




Provide public education re: land conservation,
easements, and ways to enhance conservation values of
rural lands and urban enclaves.
Develop strategic conservation plan within our sphere of
interest.
Develop fact sheets, case studies, and “stories” to
demonstrate the economic benefits of conserving rural and
other family lands.
Conserve 125,000 acres by 2013 in association with the
City of San Antonio.
Evaluate current and potential parcels.
Develop policies/objectives for ownership.
Establish relationships with potential donors.
Develop management plans for land.
1
Responsible
Office/Person
- Susan
- Board
Status
Four CEs closed in 2013. One
closing anticipated in Feb. Eight
landowners in process.
Leading coalition to strategize about
proposed next round of funding.
- Susan
- Bruce
- Board (ID
opportunities and
promote positive
landowner relations)
- Susan
- collaborative efforts
Reviewing historical land files for
necessary retention and possible
future prospects.
Focusing on Prop 1 program for
conservation and income.
Urban CEs not readily available as
donations.
- Land Committee
- Susan
- Bruce
Management work proceeding on
both fee properties currently owned.
Volunteer cadres developing.
Scientific resource assessments
ongoing. Bird survey 12/1/13. Bird
blind project completed 11/13.
Beekeeper relationship developing.
Strengthening position of community
gardens as urban land conservation.
Defined area of operation as SA &
Nueces River Basins & So. Edwards.
Strategic conservation plan needed.
Research and planning for land
conservation and stewardship efforts
in Eagle Ford Shale (South Texas
Project). Developing partnerships.
COSA EAPI has conserved more than
114,000 acres.
Coordinating with area land trusts.
BEXAR LAND TRUST, INC., dba GREEN SPACES ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – July 2011 - June 2012 (updated 1/8/14)
GOAL B. Establish Green Spaces Alliance as the regional authority on community gardening.
Action Step
Tasks Needed to Accomplish Step
Responsible
Office/Person
1. Establish a model
- Angela
 Continue current program.
community gardens
- Michelle
 Develop case studies.
program for large urban
- CG Committee
 Build the case for urban community gardens and
areas/cities, similar to San
develop model for land trusts.
Antonio, to learn from.
 Participate in CG professional associations to increase
visibility and enhance authority.
 Publish results.
 Capitalize on our unique program and successes.
2. Add 3 new community
- Angela
 Secure funding for that level of growth.
gardens to our portfolio in  Build staffing to support program.
- Michelle
2012.
 Network with other organizations to generate synergy - CG Committee
and spread the load.
3. Implement a process for
“spinning off” mature
community gardens.





Ensure existing gardens are adhering to agreed-upon
schedules for development.
Continually monitor garden status to ensure responsible
management and progress toward maturity.
Develop a program to move mature gardeners into
mentoring roles.
Establish formal “graduation” program.
Formalize network to strengthen the sense of responsibility
of gardeners to their cohort at other gardens.
2
- Angela
- Michelle
- CG Committee
Comments/Status
Michelle is a member of the Food Policy
Council. ACGA membership.
Extensive number and types of
workshops and presentation topics
available to community with good
participation. In the vanguard of urban
agriculture/land conservation movement
nationwide. Establishing partnerships
with COSA and other community
groups.
Seeking diversified grant funding.
Currently matching $50K Kronkosky
grant. Implementing $50K COSA
agreement. Other grants pending.
Developing alternative fundraising ideas,
e.g. COSA, SicloVerde, SA2020.
New CG applications in process.
Network gardens—particularly “asset”
gardens-- are taking lead roles in
community education and increasing
intra-garden communication and sharing.
Seeking ways to streamline bookkeeping
practices and keep gardens on track with
their implementation.
Successfully engaging gardeners in
planning activities: events and the
general program.
Active volunteer group.
BEXAR LAND TRUST, INC., dba GREEN SPACES ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – July 2011 - June 2012 (updated 1/8/14)
GOAL C. Educate the San Antonio community about the importance of conserving the environment.
Action Step
Tasks Needed to Accomplish Step
Responsible
Status
Office/Person
Received grant funding for elementary program for
1. Sustain and build all
- Susan
 Restore funding for elementary school PYW
fall 2012-Spring 2015 from Valero Energy Corp.
components of the PYW
- Sherry Carra
program via grants/sponsors.
Formed partnership with CPS Energy for weekend
program.
- Bruce
 Continue and expand weekend PYW program.
program: funding + other cooperative efforts.
 Formalize relationships with organizations like
Master Naturalists have successfully filled the
naturalist positions as volunteers.
Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 4-H, etc.
Interest has been developing for folks to volunteer
 Continue advertising program with E-N.
with the program.
 Add occasional adult programs.
New program coordinator, Carra Garza, began in
the fall of 2013.
 Develop mentoring cadre.
Taking advantage of outreach opportunities, as well
2. Conduct monthly
- Susan
 Survey for interests.
as GSA-sponsored activities.
GSA events.
- Program
 Develop diverse opportunities.
Volunteers program needs to build – key volunteers
managers
 Build on partnerships.
have left the area. Focus on fee property activities.
- Board
CG program continues a very busy calendar with
 Effectively employ volunteers.
3. Implement outreach
programs at area
schools, colleges, and
universities.

4. Develop education
program for general
public.




Develop relationships with environmental science
classes at local colleges and universities.
Establish collaborative relationships for public
education.
Develop objectives.
Identify target groups.
Develop program of regular and special events to
achieve objectives.
3
- Bruce
- Blair
- Susan
- Program
managers
- Susan
- Board
- Bruce
- Blair
many volunteer activities.
Began staff dialog on diversity objectives &
strategies that needs to be revived.
CG program uses college volunteers.
Various staff have been speaking at university
classes, clubs, etc.
Provide regular semester-long opportunities for
student volunteers.
Primary public educational outreach is via CG
program.
Programming planned for land conservation
interests (see goal A).
Website is info-central for green activities in area.
BEXAR LAND TRUST, INC., dba GREEN SPACES ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – July 2011 - June 2012 (updated 1/8/14)
GOAL D. Enhance organizational stability, direction, and operations.
Action Step
Tasks Needed to Accomplish Step
Responsible
Office/Person
Comments/Status











Develop tasks; engage board in achievement.
Make board meetings meaningful.
Ensure full participation of members.
Develop effective committees.
Develop action plans.
Governance Committee to assess needs.
Examine board make-up, skills, etc.
Determine areas needing strengthening.
Agree on desired size of board.
Identify board candidates, discuss, and approach.
Evaluate need/role for advisors (ad hoc).
- All
- Mike W.
- Board
- Susan
In process.
Effectively engage directors in sustaining the
organization and secure commitments.
Examine obstacles to director fundraising action.
Board agenda revised to expedite action elements.
- Mike W.
- Richard
- Board
- Susan
Board development committee has charge to seek
recruits for vacancies or where special expertise is
needed. ED is participating in this program.
Board can vary from 3 to 25 according to Bylaws.
Reinstitute Advisory Council (directors volunteered
to do this).
4. Build relationships with a
wide variety of organizations
(partners, advisors, advocates,
mentors, and consultants).



Develop and adopt GSA argument for support.
Develop appropriate collateral materials.
Identify potential advisors, etc., and arrange
meetings.
- Board
- Susan
5. Raise sufficient funds to
support and maintain current
programs and grow as required.
Develop investment program.
Institutionalize successful fundraising activities.



Establish a financial planning/advocacy committee
of the board.
Support efforts of the Gala Committee.
Identify and implement additional friend- and fundraising events.
- Board
- Susan
- Program staff
Fundraising mentor has met regularly with staff.
Program of small dinners/lunches previewed.
New brochure and other collateral in use.
Prospective donor background data and information
packets developed per Board requests. Proposed to
integrate advocacy into mission; policy required.
Funding & board fundraising remain top issues.
Expenses have been constrained to the extent
practicable.
Resource Development Committee formed.
Focused CG fundraising effort by staff.
Planning needs to begin for 2014gala.
Some prospective donor visits have occurred or are
planned.
6. Provide staff development
opportunities.


Identify appropriate opportunities.
Encourage staff to seek opportunities.
- Susan
- Program staff
1. Implement strategic plan.
2. Build, nurture, and maintain a
strong, enthusiastic, and effective
Board of Directors to guide the
organization.
3. Increase board diversity (age
groups, community backgrounds,
talents, and perspectives).
4
Staff taking advantage of webinars (free or
inexpensive). Participation, as possible, in
professional organizations.
BEXAR LAND TRUST, INC., dba GREEN SPACES ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – July 2011 - June 2012 (updated 1/8/14)
GOAL E. Expand Green Spaces Alliance public image.
Action Step
Tasks Needed to Accomplish Step
1. Create our marketable/public
image and brand.



Responsible
Office/Person
- Susan
- Bruce
- Blair
- all board
- all staff



Establish staff marketing committee.
Engage board members in marketing efforts.
Craft a multi-faceted case for GSA for use with
funders, angels, volunteers, etc.
Develop elevator speech.
Define manageable projects/goals/etc. to relate
to interested parties.
Develop marketing kit for donor prospects.
Develop relationships with targeted reporters.
Identify human-interest stories.
3. Formalize annual outreach plan.



Inventory relevant events for participation.
Work with local merchants on promotions.
Plan GSA sponsored events.
- Bruce
- Blair
- Susan
4. Effectively recruit, employ, and
manage volunteer corps.





Continue advisory board.
Initiate training program.
Develop appreciation/recognition program.
Participate at community outreach events.
Expand volunteer corps.
- Bruce
- Blair


2. Obtain at least one review article
on GSA activities in the Sunday
San Antonio Express News.
5
- Susan
- Program
managers
- Bruce
- Board
Status
Staff committee is now casual.
Program & event flyers produced.
Prospective donor kit developed.
Land Trust Accreditation received February
13, 2013.
Advocacy Committee formed 2012-13; issue
areas and policies to be developed. Some ad
hoc advocacy, e.g., testimony on Bracken
Cave to CC and communication re: easement
legislation/farm bill.
Bruce -- Land & Outreach Mgr.
We have been quoted, cited, and
included in several newspaper and
magazine articles. Some feature CG
articles have not included GSA.
Working with Edible SA magazine.
Bruce inventorying & scheduling
events.
Gala and picnic now regular events.
Continually seeking new ideas for
donor and member attraction and
retention.
Volunteers are responding to calls.
Present at many outreach events.
Fee properties provide new
opportunities for volunteers and
organizational partnerships, e.g.
scouts, Audubon.
Reinvigorate volunteer advisors.
BEXAR LAND TRUST, INC., dba GREEN SPACES ALLIANCE OF SOUTH TEXAS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – July 2011 - June 2012 (updated 1/8/14)
GOAL F. Ensure the organization’s financial stability.
Action Step
Tasks Needed to Accomplish Step
1. Work with City Council to
institute a developer fee for a land
conservation trust at $100 per acre.




2. Establish and maintain an
endowment fund of at least one
million dollars.

3. Attract active members.

Enlist three major benefactors at the $50,000$100,000 level.
Enlist two large corporate sponsors that will
donate $100,000 or more per year.
Implement an incentive package to attract new
members (not "stuff" but compelling rationale).
Attract 100 active (paying) members for 2011.
Attract 300 potential new members to social
and/or educational events in 2011.
- Resource
Development
Committee
- Susan
- Blair
- Bruce
- Gala Committee
- Board
Develop a “sales package and strategy” to tell our
story for purpose of approaching major businesses
to solicit their financial support.
 Develop required collateral materials. See E1.
- Board
- Susan
- Gala Committee
- Susan
- Mike W.
- Suzanne



4. Attract _#_ new non-board
sponsors for the 2012 Gala.
5. Write the case for GSA support.
Identify potential Council sponsor.
Identify development community leaders and
seek support.
Plan and implement campaign.
Obtain information from other successful
communities/cities.
Responsible
Office/Person
- Susan
- Board

6
Status
No action yet.
Need to meet with each CC
member to introduce GSA;
build on CG presentations to
Council members.
Working with partners on next
round of Prop 1/2 for 2014/15.
Fundraising plan proposed by
Resource Development
Committee but not yet
implemented.
Member recruitment remains a
challenge. All new members
receive personal welcome notes.
Need new member incentives.
Need numbers to support
advocacy.
Had several new gala sponsors
in 2012. Fewer 2013 gala
sponsors—some new.
Video 2013 annual report by
Beacon Hill CG good tool to
support fundraising efforts.
Advocacy effort will focus
interests and help build compelling
case—increase public awareness.