ECCA News and Articles

A conservation easement is an enforceable land preservation agreement between a landowner and an easement holder, which may be a governmental body or a qualified charity. The primary purpose of a conservation easement is to protect agricultural land, timber resources, historical sites, and other valuable natural resources such as wildlife habitat, clean water, clean air, or scenic open space by restricting real estate development, commercial and industrial uses, and certain other activities. The decision to place a conservation easement on property is strictly voluntary and the restrictions are forever binding on both the present and future landowners.

Robert Dameron Franklin, the son of Bob and Mabel Franklin has been a farmer and a lover of the land, all his life.  His love of the land and his appreciation for its bounty, is evident from the moment he begins talking about it and the myriad of reasons why he feels it is worthy of protection.  For as much as he loves the land it is equally evident that it is his love for his family that inspired him to begin looking into the idea of preserving the land as it is, for present and future generations. While he was out duck hunting with Peter Bance, a few years ago, the topic of conservation easements came up.  Peter talked about his family’s actions to permanently protect Wheatland.  Two and a half years later, the Franklin family has preserved over 684 acres on their farms, while a neighbor has protected another 125 acres.

What affects the value of your conservation easement and the tax benefits it might generate?

For many landowners, tax benefits are an important part of the decision to permanently give up development rights and protect their land forever. Only a certified appraiser, experienced in reviewing conservation easements, can determine the value of your easement donation.

Many landowners are familiar with conservation easements, a vehicle for preserving land in perpetuity, but they may not be aware of another option: selling the development rights to their property. As a result of donating a conservation easement on their property, a landowner may realize a federal tax deduction for their charitable contribution, state tax credits (which can be used or sold in Virginia), lower estate taxes and sometimes lower real estate taxes.

The Eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina , is probably the most commonly known turtle to anyone raised in the east.  Common as they seem to be, scientists claim that they are declining, and that the turtles we now see are ghost representatives of the species….they are all older adults.  Why they are disappearing and what can you do to help save them?   Landowners of large blocks of forest are in the best position to ensure persistence of the species. But, first, let’s learn a little about the animal.