(Visit our friends at Maine Coast Heritage Trust for some wonderful conservation information.)

• Conservation Easements can protect the most valuable natural resources or scenic beauty of your land into the future while keeping it in private ownership. Each ease-ment is different – a custom fit for each landowner and property – and includes covenants that describe allowed uses of the land. Public access is up to the landowner.

view across the Wildlands from Mead Mtn to Bald Mtn

Land under easement will remain on the tax rolls, and landowners may continue to live on and manage the property, sell it, or pass it to heirs – GPMCT will visit the property annually and monitor it to ensure compliance with the easement, which is a legal document enforceable by law. Donating a conservation easement can result in significant income or estate tax benefits if an appraisal shows that the property value has been diminished by the easement. Placing an easement in Maine’s Farm or Open Space tax programs and allowing public access can also reduce property taxes.

• A donation of land with significant conservation or recreation values is a wonderful gift to the community, and an important legacy for a family to leave behind.

• Purchase of land by GPMCT can be an expensive option, requiring a capital campaign and associated expenses. GPMCT may justify such expenses for a property with exceptional conservation and/or recreation values, and in such cases, will seek to negotiate with a willing landowner for a “bargain sale.” A sale substantially below appraised value can be considered a tax-deductible charitable donation – resulting in a win-win situation for both GPMCT and the seller.

Because stewardship of conservation easements and ownership of land are serious long-term obligations, GPMCT will thoroughly evaluate any conservation offer to determine whether it fits our criteria for conservation values and benefit to the public, and what stewardship obligations it would bring.

For more information on conserving family lands with GPMCT, call Administrative Director Cheri Domina at 469-2008 or e-mail cdomina@midmaine.com.