First Virtual Rendition of Event is Its Most Attended

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, is convening virtually this week the nation’s largest gathering of land conservation leaders.

More than to 3,700 people from throughout the United States and other countries will attend Rally 2020: The National Land Conservation Conference, which began today and continues through Oct. 8. Such a turnout makes this Rally, the first virtual rendition of the event, the most attended since the annual event began in 1985. Previously, the greatest attendance was 2,205 in Denver, Colorado, in 2007. The average Rally attendance from 2000 to 2019 was 1,768.

Topping the agenda – following a year of unprecedented public interest in natural spaces for respite and recreation – are sessions exploring how the community can best move forward.

“In a year where so many people have discovered or rediscovered conserved lands and the many health benefits they provide, it is incumbent upon us to ensure the lands in our care remain well tended and a benefit to all,” said Andrew Bowman, the Alliance’s president and CEO.

In addition to offering educational sessions that share and celebrate conservation success stories, Rally 2020 is bestowing two awards for excellence. Honorees include:

• Fernando Lloveras San Miguel, executive director at the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico and president of Para la Naturaleza, will receive the Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award. He has grown the relevance and success of land conservation, taking a community-first approach to his work and helping provide essential services during hurricane recoveries.
• The Land Trust for Tennessee in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will receive a National Land Trust Excellence Award. The Land Trust for Tennessee was recognized for its strategic and visionary work to conserve land that matters to people and places across Tennessee.

Featuring 60 workshops and three virtual tours in addition to four plenary sessions and multiple networking events, Rally 2019 is the nation’s largest annual gathering of land conservation professionals. Attendees will network with their colleagues, advance their skills and work to solve some of their greatest professional challenges. More information about Rally is available at alliancerally.org.

About the Land Trust Alliance

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.

Contact: Joshua Lynsen
Media Relations Manager
202-800-2239 | jlynsen@lta.org