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"What
is a land trust?"
Land trusts are private, not-for-profit organizations
that exists to protect natural resources and conservation value
of land.
• Some are large organizations working
nationally—like The
Nature Conservancy—others work regionally, and
some
work in very small locales
• All land trusts have a volunteer board of directors—some
also have paid full-time staff
"As
a landowner, how can I protect my land?"
Landowners can work with non-profit land trusts,
and sometimes public programs to protect their private land from
future development. Some of the legal tools available are:
• Leaving land to a land trust in your
will
• Donating
a conservation easement to a land trust or public agency
• Selling
the land or a conservation easement to a land trust or public
agency
• Participating in a
registry or conservation buyer program through a local land
trust
"How
do I find the right land trust to work with?"
All land trusts define the area in which they
work based on their own organizational missions—some work
within county boundaries, others focus their efforts on a particular
watershed or ecosystem.
• Most areas in Wisconsin have a local
land trust working nearby. For a Wisconsin land trust directory,
click here
• We recommend that landowners
define their own goals for their property in addition to meeting
with the land trust to learn about their conservation goals
" Will working
with a land trust reduce my property taxes?"
There is not a simple answer to this question.
• If you donate or sell land, then you
will no longer be responsible for the property taxes.
• Many landowners hope that recording a conservation easement
on their property will reduce property taxes. That is not necessarily
the case; there is no requirement in Wisconsin Law that eased
properties have reduced assessments. The rules governing property
tax assessment in Wisconsin require that assessors consider the
effect of an easement on fair market value. The Assessor’s
Manual directs assessors to take into consideration the specific
restrictions in each easement they encounter. For more information
see The
Impacts of Conservation Easements on Property Tax in Wisconsin.
"Is Gathering
Waters Conservancy a land trust?"
No, Gathering Waters Conservancy exists to support
Wisconsin land trusts; we do not protect land directly.
• We provide training opportunities, technical
assistance, and legislative lobbying support.
• We educate landowners about land trusts' work, and promote
public awareness of land trust accomplishments across the state.
• We facilitate collaboration
among Wisconsin land trusts.
"What
current legislative issues involve land protection?"
Land use is almost always represented somehow
in state and federal politics! Current issues are:
• Wisconsin
State Policy Summary
• Federal
Policy Alert
"How can I support
Gathering Waters Conservancy?"
Gathering Waters exists because conservation-oriented
people across the state support our work. If you would like to make
a tax-deductible contribution, click here.
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