Most land trusts use GIS to do similar tasks, but vary in how well and thoroughly they can or need to carry out these functions. The recommended practice levels build on each other, with each new level also using the functions from the prior levels.

Find out more about the capacities needed to use GIS at these levels (link to that section).

Basic practices - tasks that all land trusts should seek to accomplish with GIS

1. Holdings Database
   
2. Service area ("turf") maps
   
3. Property and project maps
   
4. Organizational support (fundraising, communications)
5. Web site maps
   

Advanced practices - appropriate for some land trusts, requires significant investment of staff/funding, organizational commitment

1. Mapping proposed acquisitions
   
2. Regional mapping and statistics
   
3. Planning and priority setting
   
4. Stewardship/easement monitoring
5. Fundraising and membership development
   
6. Public education and marketing
7. Interactive web mapping 
8. Results tracking
   

Expert practices -  for select land trusts; requires extensive effort and capacity: 

1. Comprehensive conservation planning
   
2. Project management/GIS integration
3. Advanced interactive web mapping