REVISED Land Conservation & Stewardship Plan for Full Board Review 12/2/14
DRAFT proposed to Executive Committee, 10/2/14
DRAFT proposed to Land Committee, 10/22/14
Mission:
To sustain the natural environment and enhance urban spaces through land conservation, community
engagement, and education.
Vision for the Program:
The Land Conservation and Stewardship Program is successful in creating a culture of conservation
through valuing and protecting the intrinsic qualities and benefits of open space. This is accomplished
through acquiring and maintaining conservation easements and fee simple properties, being the
regional resource for landowner education, educating the greater community about our work through
interactive programming, and advocating for policies that protect open space, encourage smart growth
and the protection of natural resources.
Goals for the Program:
1. Evaluate and prioritize service areas, regional goals, major activities, and potential opportunities for
growth and diversification for maximum conservation impact
2. Secure sustainable funding through grants, donors and member support to increase programming
and staff support
3. Fulfill all stewardship obligations associated with conservation easements and fee lands
4. Develop plans for fee properties, engaging other organizations and individuals in the creative process,
thereby garnering benefits of their expertise and expanding our base of engaged supporters
5. Foster and grow the Land Committee with industry experts
6. Continue existing and forge new partnerships with regional Land Trust organizations to leverage data
collection, outreach and education efforts, and technical/scientific analyses
7. Advocate for policies that facilitate land conservation
8. Maintain accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance
Objectives for 2015:
1. Train new Land Conservation & Stewardship Manager and obtain knowledge transfer from Susan
Hughes; complete transactions for Edwards Aquifer properties in queue; attend Conservation Advisory
Board meetings
2. Prioritize specific programmatic goals for:
 South Edwards Aquifer Region
 San Antonio River Basin, including
1

o The Medina River
o Wilson County
o Lands that have oil and gas production
Nueces River Basin, including
o Lands that have oil and gas production
3. Identify new funding sources for prioritized programmatic goals
 Research grant opportunities, write and submit applications for programmatic and operational
needs
 Identify potential major donors
 Invest Green Gateways, Legal Defense, and Stewardship funds
 Look for ways to leverage funding through partnerships and complementary programming (i.e.,
GSA/Bracken Cave membership drive)
4. In accordance with Land Trust Alliance standards and for the purposes of communication and
education about GSA maintained easements and fee simple properties,
 Develop protocol and schedule for all monitoring, records retention, and document filing
 Create maps, informational brochures, and presentations that showcase properties
 Digitize and submit GSA data to National Conservation Easement Database
5. Plans for fee properties that expose and engage other organizations and individuals
 Bee habitat/trail project at Bulverde Oaks with partners such as REI, Alamo Area Beekeepers,
Boy Scouts of America, and Les Dames d’Escoffier and possible Picture Your World event
 Cedar clearing/habitat restoration at Lockett
 GSA Member/Board event at Bracken Bat Cave
6. Strengthen bonds with the Texas Land Trust community and community partners to achieve greater
impact
 Send Committee members to statewide Land Conservation Conference in Austin, March 4-6,
2015
 Participate in statewide Outreach & Awareness Building Campaign with Texas Land Trust Council
 Continue work with SARA, NPS, Texas A&M Agrilife, TALT, TNC, BCI and others to cross-promote
education and outreach opportunities
 Serve on Land Heritage Institute advisory council
7. Work on local, state, and national advocacy to advance land conservation policy
 Educate City Council about Edwards Aquifer Protection Program and take the lead on renewal
campaign
 Participate in the City of San Antonio’s Comprehensive Planning Process as a member of its
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group
 Inform State legislators about the need to appropriate the Texas Farm & Ranchland
Conservation Program and attend Texas Land Trust Day in Austin in February.
 Demonstrate need for permanent enhanced conservation easement tax incentives
2