The Cornwall Conservation Trust

The CCT is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of our town's natural assets. It is organized to provide broad public participation in its activities, and membership is open to everyone.

CCT seeks to conserve and protect Cornwall land in a way which reflects the wishes of the community. Of particular interest is land which has scenic, cultural or historic value, significant agricultural or natural worth, or important water resources.

CCT promotes land preservation by conservation easement wherever possible, since this flexible land-use tool permits a variety of applications to suit different circumstances, while leaving the land on the tax rolls.

The Nature of Trust Activities

The CCT has a two-fold function:

• to accept or acquire properties or conservation rights by gift, purchase or bequest, and
  
  
• to manage the Trust's holdings for farming, forest improvement, wildlife, recreation or open space.
  

CCT works in cooperation with the town's land use commissions and other groups to balance constructive growth and the protection of natural resources.

CCT has committed itself to work towards preventing the unnecessary loss of farmland and marshland, streams and ponds, woodlands and meadows, plant and animal life. And, by extension, to maintain the diverse human community this environment sustains.

CCT thus helps assure the continued existence of qualities that make Cornwall unique: its rural and historic character and its natural setting.

Mutual benefits provided by the Trust

CCT operates to serve these long-term conservation goals of the town at large, while providing incentives for residents who may have land or financial support to give.

Any donor of land or money to a non-profit organization receives the benefit of federal income tax laws regarding charitable donations.

In addition, by giving away certain interests in property, estate taxes for heirs can be reduced: at current rates, estate taxes may otherwise force heirs to an unwilling sale of all or part of what they have been left.

Other tax benefits are possible, depending on many variable details. Professional estate planning help should be sought. CCT wants to encourage wise land use decisions by Cornwall residents. To this end, our group may offer to pay for an initial consultation and joint site visit with a professional land planner. This could provide an opportunity to determine financial and land use goals and help answer such questions as:

• Should I sell or develop part of my property? My land has soared in value. What can I do to reduce estate taxes for my heirs? How can I use limited development to help relieve financial pressure on family members?
  
• How can I achieve my financial goals and still protect the natural character of my land? Giving to the Cornwall Conservation Trust

Making a gift to CCT

Gifts can be made of part or all of a piece of land, and may involve some or all of the many rights included in property ownership:

• the right to sell, subdivide or develop the right to farm, hunt or harvest timber
  
• the right to remain for life

These gifts can take many forms:

Fee Interest

A gift of land "in fee" is an outright gift of all the property rights with no restrictions.

Easement

An easement is a permanent transfer of specific rights in a piece of land from the owner to some other entity.

A “conservation easement” can also restrict certain land uses: a landowner could grant an easement preventing future development or other activities that would change the character of the land. The grantor of a such a conservation easement may also specifically reserve certain rights over the land, such as: access, right to hunt, farm, graze or log. And, as the owner retains title to the property, he/she can continue to live on it, sell it, or leave it to heirs, subject to the permanent protection insured by the easement.

For details, see “What’s an Easement?” on this web site.

Testamentary Gift

Gifts of land or the gift of an easement can also be made by will, with the owner retaining full control of the land until death.

Reserved Life Estate

Landowners may give land, yet retain the use of all or part of it during their lifetimes and/or the lifetimes of other named persons.

This list is not inclusive. Consulting with your attorney and tax advisor will help you choose what will work best for you.

 

Making a gift to CCT

Gifts can be made of part or all of a piece of land, and may involve some or all of the many rights included in property ownership:

• the right to sell, subdivide or develop the right to farm, hunt or harvest timber
  
• the right to remain for life
  

These gifts can take many forms:

Fee Interest

A gift of land "in fee" is an outright gift of all the property rights with no restrictions.

Easement

An easement is a permanent transfer of specific rights in a piece of land from the owner to some other entity.

A “conservation easement” can also restrict certain land uses: a landowner could grant an easement preventing future development or other activities that would change the character of the land. The grantor of a such a conservation easement may also specifically reserve certain rights over the land, such as: access, right to hunt, farm, graze or log. And, as the owner retains title to the property, he/she can continue to live on it, sell it, or leave it to heirs, subject to the permanent protection insured by the easement.

For details, see “What’s an Easement?” on this web site.

Testamentary Gift

Gifts of land or the gift of an easement can also be made by will, with the owner retaining full control of the land until death.

Reserved Life Estate

Landowners may give land, yet retain the use of all or part of it during their lifetimes and/or the lifetimes of other named persons.

This list is not inclusive. Consulting with your attorney and tax advisor will help you choose what will work best for you.