National Wild Turkey Federation

NWTF HABITAT PRO-STAFF

Back to Main Page

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

PROTECTING WILDLIFE HABITAT AND YOUR FAMILY'S LAND

A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization in which the owner voluntarily agrees to restrict the type and amount of development that may take place on the property. Conservation easements provide:

*Protection of natural habitats for wildlife, plants and fish.
*Protection of important natural resources
*Preservation of heritage and traditional uses including agriculture, timber harvest, hunting and fishing.

How does an easement work?

Conservation easements are tailored to the values and characteristics of the landowner and property being protected, as well as the conservation goals of the organization. A conservation easements allows a landowner to retain ownership of the land and control access while conveying some rights to protect the land and wildlife habitat. Typically, activities that diminish the conservation value of the property, like development, are limited in the agreement.

After identifying what land to include and what rights will be retained or relinquished by the landowner, the conservation easement will be recorded as legal document in the county records. Easements are granted in perpetuity. That means if the property is ever sold, the easement will remain in force, guaranteeing that the land will remain as the original landowner intended for generations to come.

What are some benefits to the landowner?

Landowner benefit in a variety of ways. In addition to the environmental significance of the easement, there are a number of monetary incentives for the property owner. Landowners who enroll their lands in a conservation easement may:

* Substantially lower income, estate and property taxes
* Control land use on the property in perpetuity
* Preserve family heritage and values

Easements provide the opportunity to protect activities and traditions such as hunting, fishing, timber harvest, grazing, and wildlife management. They also protect the land from potentially harmful activities such as industrial and commercial development and mineral exploration.

Steps in conservation easement process
* A landowner interested in donation a conservation easement contacts the NWTF.
* The NWTF conducts a site visit to determine the conservation value of the property.
* After determining that the property's resources meet the NWTF's mission, negotiation of the terms of the easement begins.
* Landowner prepares a baseline data report to document the property's condition and improvements at the time of the donation.
* Landowner works with his/her tax advisor to determine financial benefits associated with easement donation.
* The NWTF requests a tax-deductible contribution to a conservation easement stewardship fund to cover monitoring cost to ensure that the terms of the easement are upheld in perpetuity.
* Landowner and NWTF execute conservation easement.

"Both of us were raised on farms and enjoy outdoor activities. We have always valued undeveloped land, scenic views, and wildlife habitat. Donating a conservation easement to the NWTF provided us a sensible approach to ensure these characteristics were maintained on our land while allowing us to actively manage for healthy forest and wildlife populations."
-Grant and Tracy Woods, donors of a 900-acre conservation easement in southwestern Missouri.

There are four major ways ways Wild Turkey Country protects wildlife habitat:

• Conservation easements
• Land donations
• Bargain sales
• Conservation buyers

Conservation Easements
A voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization in which the owner agrees to restrict the type and amount of development that may take place on that property. Conservation easements mean big tax breaks for private landowners!

Example of Federal Income Tax Savings for a Donated Conservation Easement

Joe and Jane Landowner donate a conservation easement on their 500-acre ranch. Prior to the easement the ranch is valued at $800,000, but after the easement is in place, the ranch appraises for only $500,000. The donation value of the easement is $300,000. They have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $200,000 in the year the easement was donated. Donation of the easement allows them to claim a charitable deduction equal to 30% of their AGI ($60,000), which reduces their taxable income to $140,000 for the year. They have an unused donation value of $240,000 remaining, which can be carried over for similar deductions for a maximum of 5 additional years.

TOTAL TAX SAVINGS: $88,835
*Joe and Jane only had $45,000 donation value remaining, therefore they could not take advantage of the full 30% deduction.

Land Donations
A gift of land or real estate from either corporations or private individuals. If the gifted land is not wildlife habitat, the NWTF will sell it and use the proceeds to protect critical wildlife habitat elsewhere. If the land does hold good habitat, the NWTF may convey it to an appropriate wildlife agency or resell the property to a conservation buyer.

Bargain Sales
A bargain sale is a combination of a purchase and a property donation. NWTF pays a landowner a percentage of the value of the property and the landowner then donates the remaining value to the NWTF. The donated value may be considered a charitable contribution and is tax-deductible.

Conservation Buyer
A person who buys property which the NWTF has purchased or received through donation and on which the NWTF has placed restrictions. The conservation buyer is allowed to keep certain rights, such as the right to build a home or continue farming, but gives up the right to develop the property. The overall impact is one of significant conservation gain.

The program works directly with NWTF chapters, agency partners and industry partners to protect wildlife habitat and to acquire from willing sellers lands for public use. Wild Turkey Country also works directly with private landowners to protect property from development through conservation easements.

"LANDOWNER CHERISH THEIR LAND. THEY VALUE THE BEAUTY, SERENITY AND SENSE OF HERITAGE THAT THEIR LAND PROVIDES THEIR FAMILIES."

Private lands provide millions of acres of critical wildlife habitat across North America. These lands support and abundance of wildlife including wild turkeys, deer, elk, waterfowl, songbirds and thousands of other species. Private lands also provide critical wildlife habitat, often serving as islands or corridors of wild country amongst the highly developed and subdivided land surrounding them.

Landowners cherish their land. They value the beauty, serenity and sense of heritage that their land provides their families. They want to pass that land, and its values, on to their children and grandchildren intact.

But as land values skyrocket and traditional ways of making a living from the land become less profitable, the possibility of losing large tracts of land to development and subdivision over successive generation is fast becoming a very real threat.

How do you protect you land? There is a way. Partnering with the National Wild Turkey Federation to develop a conservation easement on your land can ensure that your property will stay protected for generations to come.

HELP US KEEP YOUR LAND THE WAY NATURE INTENDED

If you would like to protect your land while reducing your tax burden, Contact the National Wild Turkey Federation at 1-800-THE-NWTF or write Joel Pederson, at NWTF, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC 29824 or by email at jpedersen@nwtf.net