PRESERVE THE LAND YOU LOVE
Restoring Lands is a nationally accredited land trust with decades of experience helping landowners find the best option for preserving their land. We invite you to review the below information and contact us to discuss how we can work together to realize your unique conservation vision.
Land Preservation Options
Below are three common land preservation options for landowners. Every preservation project is a voluntary engagement, designed and intended to achieve an outcome that is acceptable to the landowner and the land trust. There are different timelines, costs, and potential tax benefits associated with each preservation option.
Conservation Easement
Conservation easements are perpetual commitments between a private landowner and a conservation organization, like Restoring Lands, with the goal of permanently protecting a property’s wildlife habitat or open space uses (such as farming or forestry) from development or uses that would negatively impact those natural resources. With the conservation easement in place, the landowner maintains ownership of the land and continues managing the land as agreed upon through the easement. When the land transfers to the next owner the conservation easement remains with the property, permanently protecting the natural resource values. Donating a conservation easement to the land trust may provide a tax benefit to the landowner. Generally speaking, the difference in “fair-market value” (FMV) of the property before and after the easement is in place, as determined through an appraisal, is considered a charitable donation to the land trust.
Purchase of Property
Restoring Lands may purchase property from a landowner depending on price, property size, location, natural resource features, and other factors. Selling property to the land trust below the fair-market value may provide a tax benefit to the landowner, as the difference between the fair-market value and the sale price of the property may be considered a charitable donation to the land trust.
Donation of Property
Donating property to the land trust is another option available to a landowner to permanently preserve their land. A donation of land to Restoring Lands can be done during the donor’s lifetime or as part of a bequest. Typically, land accepted by Restoring Lands is in an undeveloped, natural open space condition and is then managed by the land trust to enhance wildlife habitat and water quality. However, properties in a more urban setting may be accepted by the land trust with the intention of later selling the property to generate revenue to support our conservation efforts. In either case, the donor may qualify for a tax deduction of the fair market value of the donated property.
We know it’s a lot to think about! Please reach out to us when you’re ready, and we’ll help you learn more about the preservation options that may be right for you.
The Restoring Lands Legacy Circle is a membership group for those who prioritize land conservation and restoration among their top giving priorities. Click here to learn more!
