Conservation Buyer Program | WPC Property Listings |
Frequently Asked Questions | Request More Information
What is the Conservation Buyer Program?
The Conservation Buyer Program links potential buyers with sellers. Over the years, WPC has worked with landowners to protect land either by outright purchase or through donations of conservation easements. 
Through the Conservation Buyer Program, WPC identifies current holdings that are available for purchase, but may be sold with restrictions such as development; subdivision; timber harvesting; farming practices; oil, gas and mineral rights; signage and/or commercial use. Funds from the sale of these lands will be used to further WPC's conservation mission.
How does the program work?
The Conservation Buyer Program assists individuals and communities
interested in protecting property with significant natural resources,
scenic or agricultural values, that would otherwise risk going on the
market for development. WPC maintains a list of properties that are
available for purchase. This information is shared with conservation
buyers, those interested in purchasing property and protecting its identified
values through the use of a conservation easement. This land must have
significant conservation values. WPC will only share information about
properties with qualified buyers who intend to ease the properties after
purchase.
WPC works cooperatively with
the region's real estate community and does not intend to compete with
real estate agents or act as a broker. WPC's role is to educate purchasers
about the importance of conserving land in the region (through the use
of conservation easements) and to serve as an information resource about
properties in need of protection. Please feel free to contact your attorney
and real estate broker for assistance with the actual transaction.
How does the Conservation Buyer Program protect land?
When a conservation buyer purchases a tract of land, WPC
will then help them place a conservation easement on the property. This
easement permanently protects the land and restricts development potential.
The conservation easement conserves certain qualities of the land such
as open space, forests, agriculture, scenic views or historic preservation.
Restrictions that may be placed on the property include limited development;
subdivision; timber harvesting; farming practices; oil, gas and mineral
extraction; signage and/or commercial use.
What is a conservation easement?
Conservation easements are a voluntary way to preserve land
while keeping it in private ownership. The easement is a legal agreement
a property owner makes with a qualified conservation recipient (such as
a public agency or qualified conservation organization) to restrict the
type and amount of development that may take place on his or her property.
The easement runs with the land, so the provisions of the easement continue
forward into time even after the land is sold. The landowner and the prospective
easement holder, such as WPC, identify the rights and restrictions on
use that are necessary to protect the values of the property. Donated
easements may provide tax benefits such as reduction of real estate taxes
and a charitable tax donation on federal income taxes.
What costs are associated with a conservation easement?
The Conservancy must be prepared to monitor and
defend all of its easements. The IRS also requires planning for the cost
of monitoring and enforcement. If the donor claims a tax deduction for
the easement, IRS requirements state that an “eligible donee”
of tax-deductible conservation easements “must …have the resources
to enforce the restrictions” of the easements. It is standard procedure
to establish a stewardship fund, setting aside funds solely for monitoring
and defending easements. The Conservancy requests a stewardship donation
with every gift of a conservation easement. Generally, the owner of the
property makes this contribution.
The stewardship fund acts as security that the
landowner’s intent will be carried out and has been compared to an
insurance policy. The stewardship contribution is the premium. The Conservancy
incurs annual costs to monitor the easement, including visiting the property,
taking photographs, writing reports, informing landowners of any changes,
and so on.
A conservation easement and certain associated
costs may qualify as a charitable contribution for federal income tax
purposes. The value of the conservation easement and the stewardship donation
are deductible on your federal income tax form as a charitable contribution,
up to 30 percent of adjusted gross income for that year and carried forward
for five additional years.
Contact WPC's land protection department for more
information: (412) 586-2320.
