Standard 1: Ethics, Mission and Community Engagement
“Land trusts maintain high ethical standards and have a mission committed to conservation, community service, and serving the public interest.”
Practices:
A. Ethics
- Adopt a written code of ethics and/or values statement and adhere to it in implementing the land trust’s mission, in its governance and in its operations.
- Adopt a written whistleblower policy that protects individuals who come forward with information on illegal practices or unethical behaviour.
- Do not participate in transactions that are potentially fraudulent or abusive.
Resources:
Ethics Policy & Statement – Template | Ontario Land Trust Alliance | ——————– | 35 KB | |
Statement of Values & Code of Ethics | Independent Sector | 2004 | 110 KB | word |
Whistle Blower Policy | Ontario Land Trust Alliance | 2019 | 47 KB | word |
File Name | Organization | Year | Size | Format |
B. Mission, Planning and Evaluation
- Adopt a mission that advances conservation and serves the public interest.
- Establish strategic goals for implementing the mission, and then review and update them, as needed, at least once every five years.
- Review your programs and activities at least annually to ensure they are advancing the strategic goals and make adjustments, as appropriate.
Resources:
Strategic Plan 2017-2020 | Ontario Land Trust Alliance | 2017 | 160 KB | |
Strategic Plan 2021 – 2024 | Ontario Land Trust Alliance | 2021 | 740 KB | |
Strategic Planing Process | Institute for Conservation Leadership | ——————- | 51 KB | |
OFT Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 | Ontario Farmland Trust | 2017 | 314 KB | word |
ORMLT Strategic Plan 2012 – 2016 | Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust | 2012 | 871 KB | word |
Ten Ingredients of Sustainable Organization | Institute for Conservation Leadership | 2015 | 78 KB | |
File Name | Organization | Year | Size | Format |
C. Community Engagement
- Develop an inclusive, welcoming organizational culture that respects diversity.
- Seek to engage people who are representative of the community in which the land trust works and foster opportunities to connect them with the land.
- Develop an understanding of the land trust’s community, and communicate the land trust’s work, services and impact in a manner that resonates with and engages that community.
- Build, maintain and enhance relationships with community leaders and other groups interacting with the land trust community.
- When applicable, engage with local indigenous communities to discuss how traditional knowledge and practices can inform the land trust’s programs and activities.
Resources:
Public Relations & Education Policy – Template | Ontario Land Trust Alliance | ——————- | 7 KB | word |
Social Media Style Guide | Ontario Farmland Trust | 2018 | 1,266 KB | |
Communications & Outreach Program | Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust | 2012 | 361 KB | word |
File Name | Organization | Year | Size | Format |