Land Protection

New Federal Tax Incentive for Land Protection

This past summer, congress passed a new incentive for landowners who permanently protect their land. The value of your conservation donation can now be deducted up to 50% of a person's Adjusted Gross Income, increased from 30%. The deduction can also be carried forward on the donor's federal taxes for 15 years, increased from 6 years. Qualified farmers can deduct up to 100% of their income. However, these tax incentives are only good for donations made through 2007!

2007 Federal Tax Deduction for Land Conservation

2007 is an excellent year for landowners considering land conservation! This past summer, congress passed a new incentive for landowners who permanently protect their land. The value of your conservation donation can now be deducted up to 50% of a person's Adjusted Gross Income, increased from 30%. The deduction can also be carried forward on the donor's federal taxes for 15 years, increased from 6 years. Qualified farmers can deduct up to 100% of their income. However, these tax incentives are only good for donations made through 2007!

Cases of Conservation: Borton Family

When landowners need to decide the future of their land, it can be very helpful to learn about the decisions that other landowners have made. There is much to be learned from the stories of other landowners who have faced similar decisions. One way we try to encourage this is through our Cases of Conservation, case studies of landowners who have used different conservation tools to meet their personal and financial objectives.

Hilltown Land Trust: Combining Land Conservation and Forest Management

For an all-volunteer organization, the Hilltown Land Trust has a substantial list of accomplishments. Founded in 1986 by community members who were concerned about the potential loss of their open space, the trust has acquired 23 (soon to be 25) conservation restrictions, three agricultural preservation restrictions, and it owns six properties, all within the nine westernmost towns of Hampshire County. "We're not one of the big flashy land trusts," says one founding board member, "We're slow but steady."

On the Right Track with Janet Pesaturo

Support for forest conservation can come in many forms.  Animal tracking is one great way to engage people and communities while providing valuable information to inform land conservation and land use decisions.  Keystone Cooperator Janet Pesaturo is proof of that.

Janet has found herself on a track she didn’t expect, and she’s enjoying where it’s leading. Nine years ago Janet was a practicing psychiatrist, who made the decision to stop working in order to raise her two children, not realizing at that time where it would lead.

Ch 61B an Excellent Fit for Many Landowners

Landowners across the state are facing increasing property taxes which can make it difficult to maintain the land as undeveloped.  The State’s current use programs (Ch. 61, 61A, and 61B) offer an opportunity to reduce property taxes in return for providing the public benefits that these lands provide.  Chapter 61 has a focus on timber management, and requires a 10-year forest management plan. Chapter 61A is for agricultural lands.

Riley Family: Communicating Your Conservation Wishes to Your Family

Communicating your wishes for your land to your heirs is a critical first step in estate planning. Even more importantly, your wishes should be codified in your will. Luckily for Beatrice Riley, because she clearly and persistently communicated her wishes to her heirs, they worked hard to carry her wishes through, even in the absence of a legal imperative in her will.

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