So, what are the advantages of working with a land trust?
Land trusts are very closely tied to the communities in which they operate. Moreover, land trusts’ nonprofit tax status brings them a variety of tax benefits. Donations of land, conservation easements or money may qualify you for income, estate or gift tax benefits. Moreover, because they are private organizations, land trusts can be more flexible and creative than public agencies – and can act more quickly – in saving land. What does a land trust do? Local and regional land trusts, organized as charitable organizations under federal tax laws, are directly involved in conserving land for its natural, recreational, scenic, historical and productive values. Land trusts can purchase land for permanent protection, or they may use one of several other methods: accept donations of land or the funds to purchase land, accept a bequest, or accept the donation of a conservation easement, which permanently limits the type and scope of development that can take place on the land. In some instances