HOW WE WORK

Since 1994, Three Valley Conservation Trust has been recognized by farmers, landowners, developers, and public officials in southwest Ohio as an important resource for land protection, conservation planning, and environmentally-responsible development.

Protecting Your Land

Three Valley Conservation Trust provides expert assistance to landowners wishing to preserve the natural and/or agricultural values of their cherished lands. Do you own land that should forever remain free from development and detrimental use? Conserve your land in perpetuity with one of these options:

Conservation and Agricultural Easements

A conservation or agricultural easement is a voluntary legal agreement between you and a qualified organization — such as Three Valley Conservation Trust — that protects your land while you continue to own it, and beyond. The organization's duty is to uphold the terms of the easement in perpetuity.

A conservation or agricultural easement is a customized legal agreement that permanently limits certain uses of the land, or a portion of the land, in order to protect its natural and/or agricultural values. You retain all other rights to your land and may sell it or transfer it to heirs, but all future owners are bound by the easement's terms.

Some landowners placing their land under easement receive funding from certain competitive programs (OPWC Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program, ODA Agricultural Easement Purchase Program, OEPA 319 Grant Program, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program). However, most easements are donated. Considered a charitable donation by the IRS, the landowner usually is entitled to a tax deduction equal to the value of the donated easement — the difference in the land's market value with and without the easement in place (please click here for a tax scenario brochure). Also, estate taxes may be substantially reduced, making it easier for heirs to keep the property intact.

Three Valley Conservation Trust is one of the largest land trusts in Ohio, safeguarding easements on properties throughout southwest Ohio since 1994 and nearly 6,000 acres of land as of early 2007.

Please click on the service area map below to view a list of easements within each watershed.

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Land Donation

Donating your land to Three Valley Conservation Trust will ensure its protection and preserve its natural and/or agricultural values in perpetuity. Terms of the donation are flexible and can be structured to allow you to continue to live on the land or to receive lifetime income.

Land donation is an ideal conservation strategy for people who:

• don't have heirs;
• have property they no longer use or are able to manage;
• wish to limit their estate taxes.

Land donation often provides significant income tax deductions and estate tax benefits, and negates capital gains taxes arising from sale income. You may transfer ownership of your property by outright donation, will (by prior arrangement), or one of the following special provisions:

Donating a remainder interest in your property —

You may continue living on and using the land and receive an income tax deduction by donating a remainder interest and retaining a reserved life estate. The Trust does not receive title to the property until after your death, or another time of your choice.

Donating land and receiving a life income —

You can donate your land to Three Valley Conservation Trust and receive income during your lifetime. In a charitable gift annuity, the Trust places the land under easement and makes regular annuity payments to you (or your beneficiary) for life. In a charitable remainder unitrust, you protect your land with an easement and place it in a trust. The trustee then sells the land, invests the net proceeds, and makes annual payments to you (or your beneficiary) for a specified term or for life. Any remaining funds help further Three Valley Conservation Trust's mission.

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Bargain Sale

Selling your land to Three Valley Conservation Trust at less than its fair market value makes the purchase affordable and provides tax benefits to you.

A bargain sale of your land is the ideal option if you need income from selling your land but would like the land to be protected. By selling your land at less than its fair market value, you receive cash, reduce your capital gains tax, and receive a charitable income tax deduction for the difference between the land's fair market value and its sale price.

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