TerraFirma Risk Retention Group

Terrafirma is a risk retention group established by the Land Trust Alliance in 2011 to help land trusts defend conserved lands against legal challenges. Land Trusts face a range of risks including but not limited to trespassing, successors not wanting to conserve nature, property developers or IRS scrutiny. Legal defence costs can surpass US$ 1 million in some cases, yet only 4% of land trusts can fund an appeal > US$ 150,000. Terrafirma operates a pooled risk-insurance model across member lend trusts for financial protection against litigation costs, professional support and risk prevention. This collective approach aims to strengthen donor/regulatory confidence in land trusts’ ability to uphold permanent conservation commitments.