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jobs digest For full information on these and other jobs, see Ita.org. Brandywine Conservancy (PA), Associate Planner - experienced land planner for Land Stewardship Program. North Branch Land Trust (PA), Executive Director - 12 -year old land trust located in NE PA seeks right person to build an impeccable reputation for the organization that inspires broad community participation and strategic partnerships. Natural Area Preservation Association (TX), Land Stewardship Director - oversee 32 preserves and direct monitoring of more than 40 easements. Fox Valley Land Foundation (IL), Executive Director - This 14 year old land trust in NE Illinois is looking for a motivated manager -work with 11- member board to take the organization to its next level of growth. The primary area of focus is Kane County, a rapidly developing collar county of Chicago. conferences Nov. 16, New Brunswick, NJ: Farm bill forum hosted by Rural Development Undersecretary Tom Dorr, 9:30 - 12:30. See usda.gov. Written comments can be submitted at usda.gov /farmbill. Dec.14, Harrisburg, PA: Future of Our Food and Farms Summit. See www.foodfarm.org. Jan. 26 -28, 2006, Denver: Fifth Annual Conference of The New Partners for Smart Growth. Cutting - edge smart growth issues, latest research. See Smart Growth Network website. publications Reinventing Conservation Easements -- A Critical Examination and Ideas for Reform, by Jeff Pidot - Policy Focus Report released by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. 2005. Reviewed by Deborah Bowers The Lincoln Institute held a symposium last February on conservation easement issues, during a time when land trusts were watching the drama of Congressional farmland preservation report October 2005 Evatgrie4m Capital Advisors Financial advisor to governmental farmland preservation programs .1 ,2 Nassctti Street E:'ri rice Lon, New.fersey .08542 tch (60c)) 179-00('1 f%tt: (6or)) 2- 9 -oOO5 www.evergeei1ca Cc:ll]1 Daniel Patrick O'Connell Land Evaluation & Site Assessment Plan Development Consultant to Local & State Governments LLOYD E. WRIGHT 301681 -7764 Cell: 301221-3423 LEW52841 @aol.com Fax: 301681 -3260 11307 Baritone Court, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901 hearings on questionable conservation easements take place. Author Jeff Pidot was a visiting fellow at the Lincoln Institute at the time, and was on leave from his post as chief of the natural resources division of the Maine Attorney General's Office, his 15th year in that position. Pidot has also been active in land trusts in Maine. This attractive 40 -page booklet gives added perspective and order to the issues and events that have led the conservation community to an admittedly uncomfortable spot. With hundreds of thousands of acres reportedly under easement by land trusts, there has been no standard instrument for the creation of these thousands of easement documents, and, while the protection is called perpetual, the quality of stewardship along the way is anything but certain. Pidot addresses the policy context, the public stake in easements, gives a brief history of recent trends, and then offers in -depth treatment of selected issues paired up with potential reforms. It unfolds in a well organized fashion, and is "peopled" with quotes from well - known experts and veterans. Pidot asks a perplexing question, and in so doing, raises eyebrows by referring to "increasing numbers of unsupervised land trusts." The question is, are these "unsupervised land trusts" good for our future? If they are not, then what reforms might make these BERKELEY 510- 841 -9190 SACRAMENTO 916 - 649 -8010 DENVER 303 - 623 -3557 www.epsys.com Providing financial analysis and implementation strategies for farmland preservation and habitat conservation projects. entities and their activities acceptable and up to the task of dealing with something as numbing as.perpetuity? Supervision of course, must be carried out not by a person, but by a thing - namely, the law. What shape should new laws take, and, who will enforce these laws, remains to be seen. The issue of transparency, or public participation in placing an easement, will also raise some eyebrows. This is one of the suggested potential reforms Pidot airs. Since conservation easements "involve a public investment and charitable trust, the public should have a role in their formation." Some would argue that many potential donors would close the book on conservation easements before page one if this were the case. But for the most part, Pidot's treatment of issues and solutions is sound and this report is good reading for everyone involved in easements. For ordering, see www.lincolninst.edu.