 Frequently
Asked Questions
What does a land trust do?
A land trust is a non-profit organization that conserves land by holding
conservation easements or by owning land.
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What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a
land trust or government agency that permanently limits the uses of the
land to protect its conservation values. It allows you to continue to
own and use your land as well as sell it or pass it on to heirs.
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What kind of limitations would a conservation easement place
on my land?
Conservation easements are tailored according to the wishes of individual
landowners. Conservation easements can range from restricting any development
or extractive uses of the land to allowing farming/sustainable logging
and/or additional house building for heirs.
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Why should I be interested in placing a conservation easement
on my land?
A conservation easement enables you to insure that your land is protected
beyond your lifetime. Additionally, a conservation easement can guarantee
you a significant tax savings for you and your heirs. For example, under
current federal law, a landowner who had donated a conservation easement
can deduct between 50-70% of his/her adjusted gross income for 10-15 years.
Lower estate taxes because of conservation easements can make a critical
difference in your heirs' ability to keep the land intact.
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What do I have to do to put a conservation easement on my land?
There are some up-front costs in placing your land in trust. Your land
must be surveyed and appraised and you must consult with family members
and your lawyer about the terms of the conservation easement. In addition,
you will be asked to contribute a small percentage of your tax savings
to an endowment for the land trust to assist in the long-term stewardship
of your conservation easement.
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What are a land trust's responsibilities?
Land trusts assist landowners in the process of establishing a conservation
easement. A land trust is responsible for enforcing the restrictions that
the conservation easement stipulates in perpetuity. Therefore, the land
trust monitors the property on a regular basis, typically once a year,
to determine that the property remains in the condition prescribed by
the easement document. The trust maintains written records of these monitoring
records. Land trusts take legal action in the event that the terms of
a conservation easement are not honored.
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What is the lower Kentucky River watershed?
The Kentucky River corridor through Franklin, Owen, and Henry counties
provides the ecological backdrop to the character of this part of the
Bluegrass. This important waterway including the surrounding landscape,
has had cultural, economic, and environmental significance for as long
as people have lived in the area. The health of these waters are directly
tied to that of the health of the people who live here, not only for recreation
and scenic beauty, but drinking water resources. The continuity and quality
of the forest and riparian communities are essential to the conservation
of water quality and the natural heritage unique to this river system.
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How does a local land trust benefit the community?
A local land trust provides landowners with more options in planning for
the future of their land. By protecting natural lands in the area, Woods
and Waters Land Trust can also facilitate historic preservation, green
space preservation, scenic viewsheds, and habitat connectivity. Currently,
no other land trust covers this area.
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