Pheasants Forever: Forever Land Trust
A Pheasants Forever Company
The Forever Land Trust was formed for one simple goal - to preserve and protect habitat... forever. As the realty wing of Pheasants Forever, the Trust builds upon 25 years of strength and experience by Pheasants Forever's chapters, staff, and volunteers to become a leader in permanent wildlife habitat preservation.
Through fee-title and conservation easement acquisition and long-term conservation stewardship, the Trust ensures protection for critical and unique habitats for pheasants, quail, and other wildlife.
How do we conserve habitat? | Donating to the Forever Land Trust | Where can I find more information?
HOW WE CONSERVE HABITAT
The Forever Land Trust is focused on permanent wildlife habitat conservation. Most of the Trust's work is in either fee-title acquisition or conservation easements.
Fee-title Acquisition
Often the best way to ensure permanent resource protection is to control the land where those resources are found. When unique and/or critical habitat is identified, the Trust may decide to acquire and hold the land for protection of the resources. Habitats owned by The Forever Land Trust will be managed by the Trust and our partners for the best interest of wildlife.
Conservation Easements
Conservation easements may be the answer for donors looking to retain ownership of the land for themselves and their heirs, yet to ensure permanent protection of the habitat for future generations.
In establishing a conservation easement, the donor and the Trust determine which resources need protected and develop a long-term plan to provide the protection. The donor assigns certain rights to the Trust and agrees to manage the property according to a conservation plan. The land remains owned and controlled, according to the conservation plan, by the donor. The easement runs with title to the property and remains in effect when the property is sold or transferred to the donor's heirs. In return, the Trust agrees to protect and defend the property's resources from any activity not consistent with the easement. Once a conservation easement has been accepted, the Trust's commitment remains intact forever.
Some examples of common conservation easements include:
- Rural protection: The rights to subdivide and build structures on the property are transferred to the Trust. The landowner continues to farm and/or graze the property
- Native cover: All rights that would allow destruction of the native cover - including plowing, cropping, draining wetlands, and cutting trees - are transferred to the Trust. Depending on the terms of the easement, the landowner may continue to graze and/or hay the native cover.
- Permanent wildlife habitat: All rights to alter the habitat - including plowing, cropping, draining, cutting trees, grazing, haying, mowing, and burning - are transferred to the Trust. No habitat alterations are allowed on the property without prior consent of the Trust.
Hunting and access rights may be retained by the landowner or may be donated to the Trust, depending on the resource protection needs and the donor's wishes.
Each conservation easement is unique and is structured by the donor and the Trust to protect specific resources. There is no one-size-fits-all type of conservation easement. What fits one property might not work for another. Negotiation and a mutual understanding of the owner's wishes and the holder's resource needs will determine which restrictions are warranted, needed, and appropriate.
DONATING TO THE FOREVER LAND TRUST
Working to ensure Forever takes careful planning and partnership with private and public partners. Whether you are looking to make your contribution now, or are planning for a future gift, The Forever Land Trust has a vehicle to help you leave your Forever Legacy.
Gifts of Real Estate
The Forever Land Trust accepts gifts of land and property. When appropriate, gifts of real estate will be retained by the Trust and managed as permanent wildlife habitat. More often, gifts of real estate will be liquidated and the proceeds of the sale will be used toward a Trust initiative. The donor may specify where the proceeds of the sale from donated real estate are used.
Forever Stewardship Fund
The Forever Stewardship Fund provides continued financial support for long-term expenses associated with Trust projects. Your donation to the Fund will ensure the Trust's long-term viability and will help to make sure no project is turned down due to a lack of financial support in the Stewardship Fund.
Planned giving
A variety of options are available to donors planning for a future gift to The Trust. Donors planning for future gifts through their estate will automatically become members of the Habitat Legacy Society. More information about the different options for planned giving and the Habitat Legacy Society are available on our website at www.legacyforever.org. You can also contact our Development Department at 1-877-773-2070.
Tax Benefits
Donations of cash, real estate, or conservation easements to The Forever Land Trust may result in significant tax benefits to the donor. Consult your tax advisor for specific information as it relates to you.
MORE INFORMATION
Ron Leathers
Government Grants Coordinator
Direct: (651) 209-4919
Toll-Free: (877) 773-2070
Fax: (651) 773-5500
rleathers@pheasantsforever.org
