Landowners who give or sell land to the Caledonia Conservancy benefit financially and emotionally by knowing their property will be permanently protected.  The following provides a brief overview of the alternatives for donating or selling land.  Talk with your financial advisor to see which option is best suited for you.

1.  Giving Land as a Charitable Deduction.  This option reduces your income taxes.  It can also reduce your estate tax.  (Your tax advisor can provide more specific information about deductions.)

2.  Conservation Easements.  With this option you retain ownership and place controls on the land that reflect your individual needs and wishes for the land. You may sell the land, but restrictions remain attached to the land title.  Public access to the land is not required.  As owner, there is still a real estate tax liability; however such donations can provide significant income tax advantages.

3.  Trail Easement.  This alternative allows you to grant the Conservancy an easement granting riding and walking rights to your land while retaining ownership.  As owner, you still have a real estate tax liability; however you may be eligible for a tax deduction.  Trail easements typically run along the edge or the perimeter of your property.

4.  Sell Land for Less than Market Value.  If your land is worth $3,000 and you sold it to the Conservancy for $2,000, the $1,000 difference is a charitable donation deductible from income tax.

5.  Sell Land for Market Value.  This is the most difficult option for our non-profit land trust as it means we have fewer resources for saving additional properties.  Still, if you decide to sell, call us first