With over 1,200 organizations registered with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA 2021), land trusts are often viewed as successful models of market-based solutions to environmental and social problems. Yet, the role of these organizations in making open space and farmland accessible to groups from marginalized backgrounds remains unclear. This report (No. 1) discusses findings from interviews conducted in 2021 with key experts at 15 land trusts in New England. The goal of the research was to understand organizational engagement with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values, with a special emphasis on how land trusts facilitate access to land for underrepresented groups. Interviewees and organizations are referred to using pseudonyms throughout the report.
This report comes from a larger study investigating inequality and environmental justice in the context of farm and open space conservation. Distributional Impacts of Farm and Open Space Conservation is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (NIFA Award No. 2018-67024-27695). Principal investigator is Corey Lang in the Department of Environmental & Natural Resource Economics at the University of Rhode Island, with coinvestigator Amy Ando in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, and co-investigator Julie C. Keller in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at the University of Rhode Island

Harrison, Blake

Keller, Julie C.

Lang, Corey

English

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University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Sociology & Anthropology Faculty Publications Sociology & Anthropology 3-2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at New England Land Trusts: Report No. 1 of Land Conservation and Inequality Series Julie C. Keller Blake Harrison Corey Lang Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/soc_facpubs With over 1,200 organizations registered with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA 2021), landtrusts are often viewed as successful models of market-based solutions to environmentaland social problems. Yet, the role of these organizations in making open space andfarmland accessible to groups from marginalized backgrounds remains unclear. Thisreport (No. 1) discusses findings from interviews conducted in 2021 with key experts at 15land trusts in New England. The goal of the research was to understand organizationalengagement with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values, with a special emphasis onhow land trusts facilitate access to land for underrepresented groups. Interviewees andorganizations are referred to using pseudonyms throughout the report.D i v e r s i t y ,  E q u i t y ,  a n d  I n c l u s i o n  a TN e w  e n g l a n d  L a n d  T r u s t sB Y  J U L I E  C .  K E L L E R ,  B L A K E  H A R R I S O N ,  A N D  C O R E Y  L A N GM A R C H  2 0 2 2O V E R V I E WR E P O R T  N O .  1  O F  L A N D  C O N S E R V A T I O N  &  I N E Q U A L I T Y  S E R I E SThis report comes from a larger study investigating inequality and environmental justicein the context of farm and open space conservation. Distributional Impacts of Farm andOpen Space Conservation is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (NIFA AwardNo. 2018-67024-27695). Principal investigator is Corey Lang in the Department ofEnvironmental & Natural Resource Economics at the University of Rhode Island, with co-investigator Amy Ando in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University ofIllinois-Urbana-Champaign, and co-investigator Julie C. Keller in the Department ofSociology & Anthropology at the University of Rhode Island.Data from this report come from in-depthinterviews conducted in 2021 with 17 keyexperts at 15 New England land trusts. Toidentify organizations, we used the LandTrust Alliance’s “Find A Land Trust”database, limiting our search criteria toland trusts in New England that conservedfarmland, prioritizing those with the mostacres conserved and full time staff in eachstate. We further limited our search to landtrusts that were accredited and Terrafirmainsured. This report uses pseudonyms forall interviewees and organizations. Seeendnotes for more detail on methods.Note:  The  findings  in  this  report  are  notgeneralizable  and  thus  should  not  beinterpreted  as  representative  of  all  landtrusts  in  New  England.0 2S A M P L E  I N  B R I E F  Interviewing experts at land trusts in 2021offered the opportunity to assess whetherorganizations had enacted DEI policies ortaken steps toward action in the year afterthe 2020 protests for racial justice in the U.S.The continuation of the COVID-19 globalpandemic also presented the opportunity toassess ongoing impacts of the pandemic onland trust operations.C o n t e x t0 3HOW LAND TRUSTS THINK ABOUT DIVERSITYWhen asked to describe the mission statement of their organization, the most commonelements across interviews were farm preservation, ecological conservation, and benefitsto the community. While diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) were not included in themission statements of land trusts, many interviewees were eager to share their thoughts onDEI issues. When asked about the role that diversity plays in their organization,interviewees’ answers fit into the following themes: 1) Highlighting racial/ethnic diversityin their area; 2) Lack of racial/ethnic diversity in their geographic area; 3) Targetingeconomic diversity; and 4) Considering diversity beyond race and class. Highlighting Racial and Ethnic Diversity In 5 out of 15 land trusts, interviewees described engagement with tribal groups. Thisranged from informal conversations (more common) to active partnerships (less common).Rachel (LT #9) described initial steps her organization had taken, but noted that tribalmembers were understandably cautious about developing a partnership due to previousnegative experiences. One land trust in our sample helped to launch a state-wide effort tolink conservation groups with tribal communities. Catherine (LT #1) explained one goalwas "to increase access opportunities for plant picking,tree harvesting, or the differentceremonial uses that they have of minerals, trees, plants."Some interviewees noted the racial and ethnic diversity oftheir area, describing existing partnerships or possibilitiesfor engagement. Aly (LT #7) explained: “As far as diversity,overall, we live it. We're housed in an urban area where wehave several different ethnic groups, religious groups. It is areally unique area…It's like our own little culturalmetropolis.” Even so, Aly noted that the diversity in theirgeographic area is not reflected in who uses land protectedby the land trust. She says, “That's something I definitelywant to work on.” Similarly, Tyler (LT #15) noted that recentdemographic changes were prompting new possibilities forcommunity engagement:  "The 2020 census data shows thatalthough we are still...overwhelmingly white, there's been asubstantial gain for people who have checked Hispanic, like10% gain in our rural towns, which is a challenge and anopportunity for us to get to know our neighbors better andwhat they're interested in."T H E  2 0 2 0  C E N S U S  D A T AS H O W S  T H A T  A L T H O U G HW E  A R E  S T I L L. . . O V E R W H E L M I N G L YW H I T E ,  T H E R E ' S  B E E N  AS U B S T A N T I A L  G A I N  F O RP E O P L E  W H O  H A V EC H E C K E D  H I S P A N I C . . .                - T Y L E R  ( L T  # 1 5 )0 4Framing diversity in Economic termsIt was more common among land trusts in oursample to note the lack of racial and ethnicdiversity in their area (7 out of 15). Rachel (LT#9) noted: “The challenges in our geographicarea being in the northern [New England] isthat it's not a tremendously diverse populationto start with. So the opportunities are maybenot as easily accessible as they are in somemore urban areas or in the southern half ofNew England.” This approach prompted someorganizations to frame diversity in alternativeways. At nearly half of the land trusts in oursample (7 out of 15), experts discusseddiversity in economic terms. Brandon (LT #14)explained, “We kind of recognize that in atown that is 94.6% white, the issues we faceare basically class based.” Similarly, Wesley, anExecutive Director (LT #6), described shiftingstrategies after initially focusing on racialdiversity: “After a couple of months of workingon DEI work, we were like, this is not goinganywhere fast if we're just thinking aboutdiversity along racial lines of black versuswhite.”Diversity Beyond Race and ClassEngaging people of various ages to be active inthe land trust was noted across many interviews.Just 3 interviewees framed diversity in terms ofage in response to the Diversity Role question.However, programming for youth wasmentioned across 8 different interviews. Jayne(LT #11) reflected: “We don't have a lot ofdiversity of ethnicity in our membership and ourcommunity. But we are working hard in oureducation programming to make sure thatEnvironmental Education is not exclusively forthe wealthy or for the white…And so the ideathat we're introducing younger people to careabout this and not have it be elitist, have it beabout sort of a sense of pride, a sense ofcommunity, like, ‘This is mine, too’. This isprivately protected land, but it is open to thepublic.” A few interviewees described efforts toincrease accessibility to protected land forpeople with disabilities. Rachel (LT #9)explained: “We're working with an adaptivesports organization who provides outdoorpossibilities for people who have a lot ofphysical challenges.”“WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO CHANGING AND FUNDINGPROGRAMS THAT WILL  HELP MARGINALIZED PEOPLE ,  NEWFARMERS,  AND YOUNG FARMERS.  BECAUSE IF  WE DON'T  GETNEW FARMERS AND YOUNG FARMERS IN  FROM WHATEVERGROUP THEY COME FROM,  THEN WE'RE  NOT GOING TO BE  THEAG STATE THAT WE HAVE BEEN BECAUSE THESE FARMERSARE AGING OUT.  PERIOD.”  –NANCY (LT  #3)HOW LAND TRUSTS THINK ABOUT DIVERSITY (ConTinued)TALKING VERSUS ACTIONExamples of Action:Signage on protected land detailing Native American culture and history, or that ofother groups from historically marginalized backgroundsFavorable lease agreements for farmers from underrepresented groupsStrategies to recruit land trust staff and board members from underrepresented groupsWe found that while 14 out of 15 land trusts had begun having conversations about DEIwork, land trusts in our study generally struggled with making an organizational plan andcommitting to action, resulting in only 9 out of 15 land trusts taking action thus far. Patrick,a Director of Land Conservation (LT #8), explained that, “We don't currently have adiversity policy or DIJ (Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice) programs specifically. It'ssomething that we are talking about on the board and staff level. Our preserves are open toeveryone for no cost." Further, some land trusts viewed working directly on DEI issues aschallenging due to several factors. Lori, an Executive Director (LT #15), explained that, “Ido think that one of our biggest hurdles is that we have a lot of people at different levels onthe equity journey... That's one of the reasons I think we need professional help, becausewe couldn't acknowledge that we are in different places." 0 5Additional DEI PRACTICESSome land trusts benefited from a state-level land trust network that offered DEIwebinars and other training opportunities to facilitate DEI strategizing.In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, one land trust donated over 20,000 poundsof vegetables grown on agricultural preserves to local food pantries.Several land trusts made internships available to young people that focused onparticular DEI issues related to conservation.  One land trust created educational programming to inform other land trusts andsurrounding communities of tribal rights to the land.One land trust was negotiating the purchase of land for community gardens on a busline, with plans to develop an affordable leasing arrangement with immigrant andrefugee gardeners.One land trust launched a "take a rest" program, installing benches with donor supportto expand access to trails for people of all abilitiesThe following list includes additional examples of DEI engagement and efforts we notedamong the New England land trusts in our sample:06BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEI ACTION AT LAND TRUSTSInterviewees described various barriers to action on DEI issues, most of which were relatedto having a small staff and limited resources. Some described disagreement in theirorganizations about a working definition of diversity, which thwarted DEI efforts. Othersdescribed hesitancy among board members about engaging in DEI work.We gained additional insights on land trust engagement with DEI work by askinginterviewees about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their organizations. Thepandemic brought considerable challenges to the day-to-day operations of land trusts.Land trusts struggled with managing increased property usage, reimaginingprogramming, and pivoting to a virtual platform. To overcome these obstacles, land trustsrelied on both increased donor funding and government PPP loans (Paycheck ProtectionProgram), with 9 out of 15 Land Trusts receiving PPP loans to avoid laying off employees.Yet the pandemic also offered opportunities for reflection and taking action on DEI goals.All 15 land trusts noted a sharp increase in the use of protected land for recreation. Someinterviewees observed more diversity among hikers, for instance, as people were willing totravel farther to access open spaces. Tyler (LT #15) reflected, “People feel comfortableoutdoors in a way that they didn't two years ago, and they want to be there, which raisedother questions about how land is used, and managed by whom? Are they welcomed?”This demographic shift led some land trusts to think strategically about how to encouragefurther participation from new users of the land. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS for Land trusts Integrate DEI work into strategic plans to ensure that conversation turns into action.This is in line with recent DEI requirements for certain funding opportunities.Develop and implement plans for diversifying land trust staff, board, and membership.Apply for funding opportunities to implement DEI training for staff and board members.Strengthen ties to regional conservation networks to share successful DEI strategies.Given the increased diversity of people using protected land during the COVID-19pandemic, create a plan for action to keep the momentum going.Create internships that are DEI focused with deliverables that assist the organizationwith making progress on DEI goals.Re-envision conservation goals to include protecting land for community gardens andproviding food for under-sourced communities.Develop strategies for linking farmers from historically marginalized backgrounds toaffordable land.Make an assessment plan to measure progress toward DEI goals Gathering insights from across interviews, this report recommends the following:07SUGGESTED CITATION FOR THIS  REPORTWe applied additional filters to yield a manageable number of land trusts: TerrafirmaInsured, Members of the Land Trust Alliance, and Land Trust Alliance Accredited.Recruitment consisted of sending emails to key staff at selected land trusts, aiming forrepresentation across New England. Our response rate was 31 percent. Our final sampleconsisted of 15 land trusts with a minimum of no full time staff (in the case of oneorganization) and a maximum of 46. The land trusts in our sample conserved a minimumof 730 acres to a maximum of 145,845 acres. All interviews took place virtually on Zoombetween July and December 2021, and were between 24 to 64 minutes long. Dataanalysis consisted of automatic transcription using Otter.ai, followed by manual codingusing Dedoose to identify themes in the data. Land Trust Alliance, 2021. https://www.findalandtrust.org1.2.E N D N O T E S  &  R E F E R E N C E SKeller, Julie C., Blake Harrison, and Corey Lang. 2022. Report No. 1: Diversity, Equity, andInclusion at New England Land Trusts. Land Conservation and Inequality Series. University ofRhode Island.Photo Credit From Page 1: Sharan Singh, iStock Photo, Getty Images S U G G E S T E D  R E S O U R C E SLand Trust Alliance Learning Center Webinar: Having the Tough DEIJ Conversation.Instructors: Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, Ava Holliday. Recorded 10/20/2021. Restoring Tribal Access to Land: A Menu of Options to Reestablish Cultural AccessRights, by Ellen A. Fred, Conservation Partners. 07/16/2021:https://www.conservationpartners.com/restoring-tribal-access-to-land-a-menu-of-options-to- reestablish-cultural-access-rights/      https://tlc.lta.org/topclass/topclass.do?expand-OfferingDetails-Offeringid=1579698

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at New England Land Trusts: Report No. 1 of Land Conservation and Inequality Series

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at New England Land Trusts: Report No. 1 of Land Conservation and Inequality Series

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