Vision, Mission and Goals
Vision
We envision a prosperous Pennsylvania, where every person and community knows that their treasured green places will endure. We envision a Commonwealth where the lands that guarantee our water quality are safeguarded; where every child and adult can safely play at a nearby park; where our productive farmland and forests are protected, securing our food and timber supply; and where wild places are preserved for wildlife.
Mission statement
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association seeks to protect Pennsylvania’s special places and landscapes for today and for generations to come. To increase the quality and pace of land conservation, PALTA helps conservation practitioners improve their effectiveness, builds public understanding, and advocates for better governmental policy.
Goals
- 1. Strengthen the effectiveness of land conservation efforts.
- 2. Improve governmental policy impacting land and water conservation.
- 3. Raise public awareness of land conservation tools, benefits, needs and opportunities, while fostering positive relationships between land conservation organizations and others.
- 4. Build a stronger, more effective organization.
Strategic plan
PALTA's second strategic plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on December 7, 2004. The above vision, mission statement and goals were developed as part of the plan. To view the objectives assigned to the goals, click here.
History
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association was created by land trust volunteers and staff who recognized the need for an association that can focus on the broad needs of the conservation movement—to take on activities that no one organization could effectively handle or wish to handle on its own.
The Association started as an informal coalition of land trusts in 1991. The Association was incorporated in Pennsylvania on January 30, 1995. It is a nonprofit organization registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations and has 501(c)3 tax status with the Internal Revenue Service.
The Association filled its first staff position, executive director, in December 2000. In May 2002, a second person joined the staff.
PALTA's achieved passage of Pennsylvania's Conservation and Preservation Easements Act in 2001. In 2002 PALTA played a major role in establishing a dedicated funding source and extending the life of the state's Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener). It led efforts to mitigate the impact of the state's fiscal crisis on the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. PALTA also introduced the Land Trust Service Center, which is now providing customized technical assistance to voluntary land conservation organizations across the state.
Structure
Eighty of Pennsylvania’s most active conservation organizations count themselves as dues-paying members of the association. These organizations elect the Board and set the association’s purposes. Members include large organizations such as the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and small all-volunteer organizations such as the Manada Conservancy.
The association's board of directors is elected by the membership and primarily comprised of senior staff and directors of Pennsylvania land trusts.
Directors, Officers and Staff
Click here for a list of the Association's Directors, Officers and Staff
Membership
Anyone can support PALTA's land conservation efforts and become an associate member.
Click here to contribute and become an associate or voting member.
Voting membership is available to nonprofit land conservation organizations. Click here to see the specific requirements for an organization to qualify for voting membership.
Bylaws
Click here to download a PDF file of PALTA's bylaws.
Reports
This area is under construction.
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