American Land Conservancy
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I have followed the activities of ALC since its formation nearly two decades ago. Under the vision and direction of its founder and 15-year CEO, Harriet Burgess. It went where other land trusts were reluctant to go -- into high-risk projects of size, complexity and difficulty. For example, its landmark Hearst Ranch project near Big Sur. ALC has a staff of idealistic, creative, energetic, environmentalists who were able to accomplish the highly improbable, and the continue to forge ahead.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the Hearst Ranch coastline preservation.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
ALC is incredibly cost effective in their land conservation efforts. They work on truly worthwhile preservation projects, and are often willing to tackle projects that other land conservation groups find too difficult.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
preserving hundreds of thousands of acres of natural and historically important land throughout America
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find ways to increase public support
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Working with the staff to preserve wonderful and scenic landscapes
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very dedicated and hardworking
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
do a lot more to preserve threatened landscapes
Ways to make it better...
ALC had more support from the public and foundations
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
increasing public support for ALC's work
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
After my initial exposure to American Land Conservancy through the members of the Mississippi River Program, I was impressed enough with their work to become familiar and active with the organization. Their ability to work in an efficient and timely manner as well as their passion for conservation and preservation of natural resources allows them to be respected by partners across the board. Wetlands have long been my passion (having served as state chairman of Ducks Unlimited) I found that the work and position of ALC in the Mississippi River Program to further that passion.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the conservation of over 25,000 acres along the Mississippi River floodplain and the procuring of several thousand acres for the new Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. They have also worked to promote the fishing and boating trail along the lower Mississippi River which will not only have conservation and recreation benefits, but also economic benefits to riverside communities.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
A+
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
ALC defies the traps that traditional conservation organizations fall into: large overhead, bureaucratic processes, mission creep. By doing so they fill the invaluable roll in land and water conservation in the US by being able to respond quickly, creatively and powerfully to the most pressing projects. ALC finds a way to make the impossible projects work.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Oregon, Nevada, California, Montana - projects that protected landscape level ecosystems, wildlife corridors, beaches, trails.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
partner with the other nat'l conservation org's to offer our expert services.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their flexibility as modus operandi.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely professional, passionate, and values driven.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
ensure in perpetuity the environmental soundness and public benefit of some of the most important coastal lands in California and Alaska.
Ways to make it better...
I had more time with the organization.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
political awareness of the service ALC provides.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
As a small, highly professional nonprofit, ALC is flexible and talented enough to tackle large projects nationwide. ALC has undertaken Herculean efforts to save amazing places like the 80,000-acre Hearst Ranch in California (and its stunning associated coastline!) and the majestic islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in Alaska (home to the Kodiak Bear, the largest terrestrial carnivore on earth). ALC is always looking for the next special place to protect, and the staff have proven time and again that they can pull it off. As a former employee of ALC for 2.5 years, I can tell you that the people who work here are passionate about what they do. I am proud to rate them five stars.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
knowing we are saving some of the most beautiful places in the world.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely hard-working, dedicated and passionate about land conservation.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
preserve more of California's world-famous coastline.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
The American Land Conservancy is the type of organization that all nonprofits should attempt to emulate and one that I am proud to represent as a member of its Board of Directors. Through increasingly difficult economic times it has managed to adapt it business model while continuing in its mission to preserve scenic beauty for a wide cross section of Americans, both current and future generations.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
very tangible ways. Funds are spent responsibly and the end result is that land is made available for public enjoyment.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
support the current staff structure. The proper pieces are in place for continued success.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
working with talented and dedicated staff.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
knowledgeable in their field, flexible in their approach and dedicated to what they were attempting to accomplish.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue doing the great work that it currently does -- only on a grander scale.
Ways to make it better...
the organization had additional funding to accomplish even more of its great projects.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
securing additional funding during difficult economic times, a dilemma that is currently shared by many organizations. If there is one nonprofit that will find a way to work their way through it, it is the American Land Conservancy -- a very deserving organization.
One thing I'd also say is that...
more organizations, whether private, public or nonprofit should be operated like the American Land Conservancy.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
ALC has been an outstanding, extraordinarily effective conservation organization. Despite significant obstacles, it secured the in-perpetuity protection of the 83,000-acre Hearst Ranch in San Luis Obispo County, where other conservation groups had failed. ALC is known for crafting creative solutions to land use problems, and most efficiently securing protection of critical resources and landscape-scale projects throughout the nation, for people and wildlife.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
thousands of acres prevented from being developed, where the natural resources are protected and recreational opportunities opened up for people
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
turn it over to its existing, impressive leader Kerry O'Toole.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
great staff, highest quality of conservation projects, and small but engaged board
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
highly energetic, creative people who don't take "no" for an answer and who are dedicated to the mission.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
save thousands more acres across the nation.
Ways to make it better...
I could work full time for this organization -- such great work but only limited time.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
raising conservation dollars in a tight economy and with fewer public monies available.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Keep on truckin' ALC!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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