If
you own land that you feel may have important conservation features,
whether it be farmland, woodland, saltmarsh, or some combination,
anywhere in Essex County, we invite you to contact us. We would
be very pleased to discuss the full range of land conservation
options with you. Please contact David Santomenna, Director of
Land Conservation or Tracie Hines, Conservation Outreach Coordinator.
CONSERVATION TAX BENEFITS AVAILABLE THROUGH
THE END OF 2009.
Raises the deduction a donor can take for donating
a conservation easement from 30% of their adjusted
gross income in any year to 50%.
Allows qualifying farmers to deduct up to 100% of
their income, provided the land remains available
for agricultural production.
Increases the number of years over which a donor
can take deductions from 6 years to 16 years.
Is retroactive to January 2008 and applies to
easements donated through 2009, including bargain
sales.
Many landowners have found these benefits
to be a significant incentive to place a conservation
restriction on their land. For more information about
what this legislation might offer you, please call Essex
County Greenbelt's Director of Land Conservation
David Santomenna (dts@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension 18)
or Conservation Outreach Coordinator Tracie Hines (tracie@ecga.org
or (978) 768-7241, extension 16).
Information
for Municipalities, Agencies, and Land Conservation Organizations
Greenbelt's
conservation project assistance takes many forms, from technical
advice, assistance with landowner negotiations, joint cultivation
of land conservation projects, to small grants which may cover
project costs, due diligence, or even a portion of the purchase
price of an important conservation parcel. If your town, city,
land trust or agency is working on a land conservation project,
and you think that Greenbelt could help, please get in touch
with us. Contact Ed Becker (eob@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension
12) or David Santomenna (dts@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension
18).
Further
Reference
In conjunction with
the Trustees of Reservations, Greenbelt has co-published a reference
for Massachusetts land owners entitled Land Conservation Options.
You can download a copy, or purchase a copy for yourself, for
a friend or for your community via the online
store, or by calling Greenbelt's office. Download Land
Conservation Options (PDF 1.5mb) Download 2008
Tax Law Changes, Addendum
If
you own land that you feel may have important conservation features,
whether it be farmland, woodland, saltmarsh, or some combination,
anywhere in Essex County, we invite you to contact us. We would
be very pleased to discuss the full range of land conservation
options with you. Please contact David Santomenna, Director of
Land Conservation or Tracie Hines, Conservation Outreach Coordinator. 
Greenbelt's
conservation project assistance takes many forms, from technical
advice, assistance with landowner negotiations, joint cultivation
of land conservation projects, to small grants which may cover
project costs, due diligence, or even a portion of the purchase
price of an important conservation parcel. If your town, city,
land trust or agency is working on a land conservation project,
and you think that Greenbelt could help, please get in touch
with us. Contact Ed Becker (eob@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension
12) or David Santomenna (dts@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 extension
18).