Welcome to Terrafirma

Terrafirma Risk Retention Group LLC is a unique charitable risk pool for conservation organizations that helps its members uphold the promise of lasting conservation. You are a critical part of this formidable, shared conservation defense liability service for land trusts.

Each year Terrafirma members confirm and update eligibility and portfolios. New members may join during this confirmation window. The deadline for the 2024 policy year was February 1, 2024. The next application window will open December 1, 2024.

The Info page has all the information you need. For example, you can find the address to mail your premium payment check, the step-by-step process to notify Terrafirma about a potential problem, and details about the claim process.

To view Terrafirma's annual report to members and financial documents, click here.

Alliance Risk Management Services staff are happy to help you with any Terrafirma questions. Please write to or call:

Leslie at 802-262-6051

Tom at 802-249-7147

Gabe at 202-924-9007

Scott at 202-800-2248

Music Meadows Ranch, Colorado, San Isabel Land Protection Trust

Photo by Dan Ballard

Black Mountain in Cave Creek, Arizona, Desert Foothills Land Trust

Photo by John Dubuc

Fall in the Beaver Brook Watershed, Mountain Area Land Trust

Photo courtesy of Mike Strunk

Leo Ranch, Connemara Conservancy Foundation, Texas

Photo courtesy of RJ Taylor

Whaleback Natural Area, Michigan, Leelanau Conservancy

Photo by Keith Burnham

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Jackson Hole Land Trust

Photo by Kim Fadiman

Fairview in Fall, Upstate Forever, South Carolina

Photo by Tommy Wyche

Moyer Ranch Conservation Easement, Kansas Land Trust

Photo by Bruce Hogle

Whitewater Draw and Sandhill Farm, Arizona Land and Water Trust

Photo by J. Blanton Belk

Rusk Ranch, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

Photo by Claricy Rusk

Hancock Springs, Washington, Methow Conservancy

Photo by Steve Bondi

Scenic Hudson's Poets' Walk Park, Red Hook, NY

Photo by Robert Rodriguez, Jr.

Singing Meadows Preserve, Boothbay Region Land Trust

Photo by Boothbay Region Land Trust

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About Terrafirma

The Land Trust Alliance formed Terrafirma in 2011 to help land trusts defend their conserved lands from legal challenge. It is owned by its members to insure the costs of upholding conservation easements and fee lands held for conservation purposes when they have been violated or are under legal attack, and to provide information on risk management to those land trusts. This national initiative demonstrates land trusts' commitment to take seriously their responsibility to ensure the permanence of their conservation work.

Why Terrafirma?

Conservation easements and lands are increasingly under attack across America. As population and development pressures increase, so does the value of conserved properties, making them vulnerable. Eventually, every land trust will face some form of litigation.

In addition, public entities, the general public (through taxes, tax incentives and credits), private individuals, and foundations have invested billions of dollars in voluntary conservation of private lands. Terrafirma is one part of a comprehensive suite of protections for land trust protected properties.

How It Works

Terrafirma is owned and operated by your land trust and the other 554 insured land trusts.

View the Members Committee Regions Map
Find your representative to the Members Committee
View the Claims Committee
Show you’re a proud Terrafirma member with these logos

We’re here to help! You can email us directly at or call:

802-262-6051 for Leslie Ratley-Beach, Director

802-249-7147 for Tom Kester, Operations Manager

202-924-9007 for Gabe Martinez, Coordinator

202-800-2248 for Scott Yaw, Associate

Please call or write your representative or a Terrafirma employee any time you have a question, problem, or suspect you might have a claim.