• Legal Workshop: Conservation and Open-Space Easement Donations. May 30, 2008, Charlottesville, MCLE Credits: 4.5. Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and Virginia Continuing Legal Education (CLE). Virginia Department of Forestry, First-Floor Training Room; 900 Natural Resources Drive, Fontaine Research Center; (434) 977-6555. Program level is from basic to intermediate. Click here for more detail or to register.
  Purpose: There are many benefits associated with open-space and conservation easement donations, but there are also unforeseen or unexpected challenges and pitfalls. Land conservation and environmental concerns are hot-button, highly visible issues in today’s world. This day-long workshop will help you keep on top of new laws and trends. The workshop covers the complexities and nuances of land conservation. Attendees will learn how to better represent landowners or negotiate with easement holders; hear about the latest state and federal tax incentives; find out about the conservation value review for larger donations, and more.
  Schedule:
  Introduction to Conservation and Open-Space Easements
  Representing Landowners and Working with Easement Holders
  State and Federal Tax Incentives
  Conversion, Diversion, and Extinguishment - Section 1704 Issues
  Easement Holders - Options for Landowners
  The Governor's Land Conservation Goal
  Beyond the Basics - Avoiding the Pitfalls and Meeting the Challenges
  What to Look for in Conservation Easement Appraisals
  VOF Template and Guidelines for Drafting a Conservation Easement
  Conservation Value Review for Tax Credits over $1 million
  Registration is $40 (lunch included). Register online only. Attendance limited to 75. Click here for more detail or to register. Registration at the seminar is possible only if space permits.
• Virginia's Second Annual Statewide Land Trust Conference: Conserving Our Common Wealth. June 11-13, 2008; Staunton, Va. Virginia’s United Land Trusts (VaULT) is proud to present this three-day conference. Governor Tim Kaine will be the conference's keynote speaker on Thursday, June 12, at lunch. Join land trust staff, volunteers, board members, public agency staff and land conservation advocates to network with colleagues from across the state and learn about the latest advances in the practice of conservation. Experienced course leaders will provide in-depth training on a range of issues that land conservation advocates face. Topics include stewardship, board governance and the new Land Trust Alliance accreditation program. Click here to register online. VaULT was organized in 2000 to address the growing interest and number of organizations involved in land conservation in the commonwealth. VaULT now represents more than 40 organizations.
• Stewardship Virginia. April 1-May 31 and Sept. 1-Oct. 31. Stewardship Virginia is a statewide initiative held twice annually to help citizens with projects that enhance and conserve Virginia's natural and cultural resources.

Click here to for a full list of special events being held in our award-winning state parks.

Click here to download a list of DCR related meetings and events (PDF).