The D.C.-based Land Trust Alliance has announced a $1 million grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to advance a training and accreditation program based on higher ethical, fiscal, and governance standards for land conservation organizations receiving donations of privately owned land.

Working with the Senate Finance Committee, the alliance will study measures to strengthen the process for voluntary, private land donations, including adoption of uniform appraisal standards, stronger penalties for appraisers who fail to follow those standards, rules on conflict of interest, and adequate resources for IRS enforcement. The move comes as conservation organizations increasingly are under attack for practices related to conservation and historic fa�ade easements — restrictions placed on property in an effort to preserve open space and protect historic streetscapes — and a congressional committee looks into doing away with certain tax breaks associated with the donation of such easements.

"Land trusts want stronger reforms that will uphold the public benefits of private land conservation," said LTA president Rand Wentworth. "We support the Senate Finance Committee's work to develop reasonable reforms that will stop abuses. Equally important, land trusts are demonstrating strong leadership by adopting rigorous, new ethical standards."

Next month, the finance committee is expected to hold a hearing on the activities of the Arlington, Virginia-based Nature Conservancy and other land trusts. "We've seen some serious problems in land donations for conservation," said finance committee chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-IA). "Self-governance has to be part of the solution, and I applaud this important step." But, Grassley added, legislative reform is needed as well. "Current laws are too loose to prevent abuse, and it is time to tighten those laws."