How to Conserve My Land
WLCT works with you each step of the way to transfer the title to the land trust and realize the potential personal benefits through a tax deduction or in some high priority cases, a fair market value purchase. Donating or selling your land is a great way to contribute to the growth of our nation’s public lands.
A Conservation Restriction (CR) is a voluntary, legal agreement entered into by a landowner and a qualified nonprofit or government agency that permanently protects key conservation values and limits future uses of the land. As a landowner you have the right to use your property in a variety of ways and to maximize its value through future planning. A CR is tailored to extinguish some or all of the future development rights, and you have the option to retain other rights while you continue to own the land.
Each CR is unique and is developed in partnership with a land trust. Reserved rights and extinguished rights are clearly reflected in the CR document and remain as an encumbrance on the property forever. A CR is a great way to protect the conservation values of your land while also retaining ownership and potentially accessing other financial benefits including:
– Reduced property taxes
– Federal income tax deduction
– In MA, a potential tax credit up to $75,000
WLCT primarily works on CR projects that are a donation to the organization, but in high-priority areas, it is possible we would consider the purchase of a restriction at the present fair market value.
An APR extinguishes all future development rights in exchange for a fair market value purchase established by an independent appraiser. The reserved rights of the property are focused on a working agricultural operation in perpetuity and the APR program monitors the ongoing farm operation to ensure the land is being utilized in accordance with these rights.
Volunteer
Special places don’t stay special on their own. Our dedicated volunteers make sure every one of our destination properties is ready for your next adventure.