Land Trust NewsSave Stumphouse Mountain!
Fortunately, the public found out about a plan by the City of Walhalla to sell its former watershed property (440 acres) to a Florida developer. Also part of the deal was an adjoining privately-owned tract of about 510 acres. The City’s residents spoke out loudly and strongly against the plan, and a broad coalition of conservation organizations, including Upstate Forever, The Nature Conservancy, Naturaland Trust and the Chattooga Conservancy, stepped in to support these residents. To make a long story short, the City and private landowners have agreed to give the conservation organizations until the end of August 2007 to raise approximately $4.3 million to acquire title to, or conservation easements on, the property.
As this newsletter went to press, about $3.4 million in commitments for the project had been received: $1.5 million from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, $1.2 million from the South Carolina Conservation Bank (which Upstate Forever will use to purchase a conservation easement on the City’s property), $180,000 from the Graham Foundation, a $100,000 state competitive grant, a $300,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor, and approximately $200,000 in individual contributions. This is tremendous progress, but we still have to raise another $800,000 and have less than two months to do so. There is no possibility of receiving any federal funds this year, but Oconee County may commit some funds to the project. It is obvious that for us to be successful, the private sector must participate in a significant way. Please help by sending your tax-deductible contribution to: The Nature Conservancy UPDATE: As of August 29, 2007, after an outpouring of public support, all needed funds had been raised. Upstate Forever Chosen for Pilot Accreditation Program
The accreditation program will enable land trusts to join the ranks of other nonprofit organizations that gain professional recognition through accreditation, such as museums, zoos and hospitals. Accreditation will assure the public that a land trust meets national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent. Upstate Forever applied to participate in this pilot program believing that accreditation will build even broader public support and trust for our work protecting significant lands and resources in the Upstate. Upstate Forever currently holds 39 conservation agreements protecting nearly 8,000 acres in the region, with more currently in progress. More information about our Land Trust’s efforts can be found in our Land Trust section. Are You a Conservation Buyer?A new initiative of Upstate Forever’s Land Trust Program is a conservation buyers’ registry. Essentially a matchmaking service for landowners and buyers, our Land Trust staff will identify “conservation buyers,” who desire to purchase significant lands and are willing to protect them, and match them with “conservation sellers,” landowners who need to sell wonderful properties, but don’t wish to see them cut up into development. In most cases, some limited use of the conservation property is appropriate, such as a few single family residences, farming, and timber management. In addition, tax benefits might be available to the buyer. If you are on the lookout for a great conservation property, please contact Dana Leavitt, Director of Upstate Forever’s Land Trust Program, at (864) 250-0500x23 or dleavitt@upstateforever.org Land Trust Outreach CampaignOne of Upstate Forever’s top priorities this year is our Land Trust Outreach Campaign – an initiative to increase awareness in our region about the dramatic improvement in the tax benefits for conservation. Congress approved these benefits last year, but unless the law is changed, they will expire at the end of 2007. A nationwide effort is underway to convince Congress to make the benefits permanent, but of course no one knows what will ever happen in Washington.
There’s more to come, so stay tuned! In the meantime, please help us by informing landowners of significant properties about the new benefits and by asking U.S. Senators Graham and DeMint and your representative in the House to make the benefits permanent.
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Thus, our Outreach Campaign has a real sense of urgency. We are working hard to get the word out quickly about the new tax incentives to as many landowners, attorneys, financial advisors and interested citizens as possible. In fact, in May, we mailed over 800 letters to the owners of important tracts in the Upstate. Included with this letter was a brochure about conservation agreements and a hypothetical example of how the new incentives work.