{"status":200,"message":"Success","data":{"id":"22ffbded-7731-5de4-9fcf-e06cc77b51bb","title":"Land Trust Assistance Program","description":"The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) provides technical assistance and resources to local non-profit land trusts and conservation partners that co-hold or seek to co-hold conservation easements with MET. The program helps land trusts connect to services and programs offered by state agencies, counties, and other land trusts, and offers tools and direct support for easement and stewardship work, including monitoring resources and trainings, record-keeping guidance, publications and model easement documents, access to the online Land Trust Toolbox, Land Trust Roundtables, and capacity-building mini-grants through the Keep Maryland Beautiful Program. Through a Cooperative Agreement with MET, land trusts may also access programs such as the Local Land Trust Revolving Loan Program, Land Trust Grant Fund, Program Open Space, Rural Legacy Program, and Greenspace Equity Program. Land trusts must have a current Cooperative Agreement with MET to access co-holding and most assistance services. New Cooperative Agreement requests require review and approval by the Land Trust Outreach Committee (LTOC) and MET's Board of Trustees, and must be submitted at least 30 days before an LTOC meeting.","status":{"value":"custom","customValue":"Recurring"},"source":"https://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met/Pages/landtrusts.aspx","funding":{"details":"MET provides technical assistance including monitoring resources and trainings, record-keeping guidance, publications and model easement documents, access to the online Land Trust Toolbox, Land Trust Roundtables, and capacity-building mini-grants through the Keep Maryland Beautiful Program. A current Cooperative Agreement with MET is required to access co-holding and most assistance services. Through the Cooperative Agreement, land trusts may also access programs such as the Local Land Trust Revolving Loan Program, Land Trust Grant Fund, Program Open Space, Rural Legacy Program, and Greenspace Equity Program. Land trusts must adopt the Land Trust Alliance's Land Trust Standards and Practices (2017), maintain good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and hold 501(c)(3) status as a qualified organization under IRC §170(h)(3). Cooperative Agreements automatically terminate on December 31 of the agreement year and may be renewed annually if both parties agree."},"acceptedApplicantTypes":[{"value":"custom","customValue":"non-profit"}],"customFields":{"agency":{"name":"agency","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Maryland Environmental Trust"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/agency"},"contactInfo":{"name":"contactInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Land Trust Assistance Manager"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/contactInfo"},"additionalInfo":{"name":"additionalInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"url":"https://compass.maryland.gov/incentives/#/incentive/outreach-and-engagement-program-land-trust-assistance","description":"Maryland Community Compass record"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/additionalInfo"},"eligibilityCriteria":{"name":"eligibilityCriteria","fieldType":"object","value":{"beneficiaryTypes":[{"code":"non_profit","name":"non-profit"}],"details":"Local non-profit land trusts and conservation partners that co-hold or seek to co-hold conservation easements with Maryland Environmental Trust. Land trusts must be 501(c)(3) qualified organizations under IRC §170(h)(3).\n\nAvailable to land trusts operating across Maryland that have or are seeking a Cooperative Agreement with MET. MET partners are organized into four regions: Central (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County), Eastern (Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester), Southern (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, St. Mary's), and Western (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington), plus regional and national land trusts with broader service areas."},"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"attachments":{"name":"attachments","fieldType":"array","value":[{"downloadUrl":"http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/Land_Trust_Directory.pdf","name":"Land_Trust_Directory.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf","name":"ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/Land_Trust_Directory.pdf","name":"Land_Trust_Directory.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf","name":"ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf","name":"ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/Land_Trust_Directory.pdf","name":"Land_Trust_Directory.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/Land_Trust_Directory.pdf","name":"Land_Trust_Directory.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://dnr.maryland.gov/met/Documents/ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf","name":"ForWebsite_CoopAgreeMET.pdf"}],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingSource":{"name":"fundingSource","fieldType":"string","value":"Public","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingInstrument":{"name":"fundingInstrument","fieldType":"string","value":"other-technical-assistance; grant; training","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"lastSyncedAt":{"name":"lastSyncedAt","fieldType":"string","value":"2026-10-17T08:01:16.220Z","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdCompassId":{"name":"mdCompassId","fieldType":"number","value":1546,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSlug":{"name":"mdSlug","fieldType":"string","value":"outreach-and-engagement-program-land-trust-assistance","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdDataQuality":{"name":"mdDataQuality","fieldType":"string","value":"medium","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdGeographicScope":{"name":"mdGeographicScope","fieldType":"string","value":"statewide","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAcceptingApplications":{"name":"mdAcceptingApplications","fieldType":"boolean","value":false,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRecurring":{"name":"mdRecurring","fieldType":"boolean","value":true,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAssistanceTypes":{"name":"mdAssistanceTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["other-technical-assistance","grant","training"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleIndustries":{"name":"mdEligibleIndustries","fieldType":"array","value":["Any"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleCounties":{"name":"mdEligibleCounties","fieldType":"array","value":["All"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes":{"name":"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["non-profit"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdApplicationProcess":{"name":"mdApplicationProcess","fieldType":"string","value":"Contact the Land Trust Assistance Manager via the online form to discuss the status of your organization's Cooperative Agreement with MET. New Cooperative Agreement requests are reviewed by the Land Trust Outreach Committee (LTOC) and MET's Board of Trustees; submit requests at least 30 days before a scheduled LTOC meeting. Required documentation includes: 501(c)(3) letter, board resolution, conflict-of-interest policy, records policy, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, project-selection criteria, monitoring/stewardship policies, roster of current directors/trustees, and contact person information. Cooperative Agreements are renewable annually.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdProgramAudience":{"name":"mdProgramAudience","fieldType":"string","value":"Local non-profit land trusts and conservation partners that co-hold or seek to co-hold conservation easements with Maryland Environmental Trust. Land trusts must be 501(c)(3) qualified organizations under IRC §170(h)(3).","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdUseOfFunds":{"name":"mdUseOfFunds","fieldType":"string","value":"Support for easement co-holding, monitoring, stewardship, record keeping, capacity building, and land conservation programming. Cooperative Agreement provides access to state conservation funding programs including Local Land Trust Revolving Loan Program, Land Trust Grant Fund, Program Open Space, Rural Legacy Program, and Greenspace Equity Program.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdGeographicEligibility":{"name":"mdGeographicEligibility","fieldType":"string","value":"Available to land trusts operating across Maryland that have or are seeking a Cooperative Agreement with MET. MET partners are organized into four regions: Central (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County), Eastern (Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester), Southern (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, St. Mary's), and Western (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Washington), plus regional and national land trusts with broader service areas.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRequirements":{"name":"mdRequirements","fieldType":"array","value":["Must be a local non-profit land trust or conservation partner organization","Must hold 501(c)(3) status and qualify as a 'qualified organization' under IRC §170(h)(3)","Must provide satisfactory evidence of 501(c)(3) tax exempt status issued by the IRS","Must provide verification that the land trust is a 'qualified organization' as defined under IRC §170(h)(3)","Must maintain good standing with Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (Md. Code Regs. 18.04.03.01)","Must execute a current Cooperative Agreement with MET to access co-holding and most technical assistance services","Must adopt the Land Trust Alliance's Land Trust Standards and Practices (2017) as guidelines","Must provide a resolution of the Board of Directors/Trustees affirming the organization's commitment to the Cooperative Agreement","Must provide a copy of the land trust's Conflict of Interest Policy","Must develop and implement a Records Policy; must provide a copy of the land trust's Records (Record Retention or Document Management) Policy","Must provide a copy of the land trust's Articles of Incorporation","Must provide a copy of the land trust's Bylaws","Must provide a copy of the land trust's written project-selection criteria or policy","Must provide a copy of the land trust's monitoring and stewardship policies or procedures","Must provide a copy of the land trust's roster of current directors or trustees","Must provide the identity of a contact person for the land trust including name and phone number","New Cooperative Agreement requests require review and approval by the Land Trust Outreach Committee (LTOC) and MET's Board of Trustees","New Cooperative Agreement requests must be submitted at least 30 days before a scheduled LTOC meeting","Cooperative Agreements automatically terminate on December 31 of the agreement year; renewal is available if both parties agree","Every co-held easement shall be monitored annually by the land trust unless otherwise agreed","Monitoring reports must be legible and at minimum include the required observations and photographs","The land trust and MET shall conduct joint monitoring visits to co-held conservation easements","Must use the model deed of conservation easement developed by MET to include site-specific terms","The Organizations shall consult with each other upon receipt of landowner requests regarding co-held easements","The Organizations shall notify each other of potential or observed violation(s) of co-held conservation easements","MET will retain the original signed and recorded deed of conservation easement","On the ground monitoring consists of a monitor physically observing the co-held property","Remote monitoring consists of reviewing easement properties using aerial/satellite imagery"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSourceUrls":{"name":"mdSourceUrls","fieldType":"array","value":["http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met/Pages/landtrusts.aspx","http://dnr.maryland.gov/met/Pages/landtrusts.aspx"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSourceCount":{"name":"mdSourceCount","fieldType":"number","value":2,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"stateCode":{"name":"stateCode","fieldType":"string","value":"MD","description":"USPS code of the state whose agency offers this funding","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"agencyKey":{"name":"agencyKey","fieldType":"string","value":"met","description":"Portal key of the administering agency","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"agencyAbbrev":{"name":"agencyAbbrev","fieldType":"string","value":"MET","description":"Administering agency abbreviation","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"upstreamSource":{"name":"upstreamSource","fieldType":"string","value":"maryland","description":"Upstream CommonGrants API this record is read from (src/data/state-portals/upstreams.json)","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"bindingMode":{"name":"bindingMode","fieldType":"string","value":"upstream","description":"Read from an upstream CommonGrants API; no editorial card yet","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"}},"createdAt":"2026-07-02T21:19:56.874Z","lastModifiedAt":"2026-10-04T20:03:38.973Z","identifiers":{"otherIds":{"opp:maryland:system":{"registry":{"code":"opp:maryland:system","url":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/common-grants"},"id":"22ffbded-7731-5de4-9fcf-e06cc77b51bb"}}},"funders":{"primary":{"id":"f8ee79f9-d923-57c6-9fdd-3fc12012f310","name":"Maryland Environmental Trust","identifiers":{"otherIds":{"org:opengrants:funder":{"registry":{"code":"org:opengrants:funder","url":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/registries/org-opengrants-funder.json"},"id":"1fd726bd-ea52-4afa-925c-d522b22bb04d","allIds":[{"id":"1fd726bd-ea52-4afa-925c-d522b22bb04d","status":"active"},{"id":"63878e1a-e721-4cb1-ad5d-1f796adeae7b","status":"active"}]},"org:us:md:agency":{"registry":{"code":"org:us:md:agency","url":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/registries/org-us-md-agency.json"},"id":"MET"}}}}},"competitions":[],"awards":[]}}