Land trusts throughout Massachusetts, and certainly on Cape Cod, acquire land to maintain as open space in the face of burgeoning development. That, after all, is their mission.

Many land trust professionals, however, feel that additional protection may be needed to fully preserve these special places. Mark Robinson, Executive Director of the Compact of of Conservation Trusts is one of them.

Mark and the Compact are using a simple, but innovative, way to increase protection afforded to open space. One organization owns the land. A second group is recruited to hold a deeded restriction on that same property. Should something happen to the principle land owner, the "guardian" organization can legally ensure that the property remains protected and undeveloped. This "conservation trust duty" is a binding legal agreement, that becomes a permanent part of each parcel,s deed. It also establishes a legal defense fund to be held, untouched, unless the need arises. With Orenda holding the charitable trust, its sanctuary philosophy is expanded by including a provision that owners of the lands must not promote hunting or trapping.

Orenda now stands as an additional protector for hundreds of acres owned by the Bourne Conservation Trust, and the Dennis and Yarmouth Land Trusts ~ and there are other town land trusts expressing interest in similar arrangements.

Even the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), a national organization providing guidance in the form of standards and education opportunities to land trusts across the country has recognized the value of this kind of arrangement. A letter from LTA President Rand N. Wentworth thanked Mark "for taking the leadership in promoting this innovative technique to further our common goal of providing permanent protection for conservation land."

As a member of Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, you can take pride in the fact that your Board of Directors has had the courage to be first in taking on this responsibility ~ and Orenda will be there to defend these conservation lands.

We also gratefully congratulate everyone at the Compact, particularly the originator of the idea, Mark Robinson. We hope, that within the next few years, this added layer of protection will be afforded to thousands and thousands of acres of conservation land and open space areas across our country. Well done, Mark!

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