Dear
Friend,
It's March already and the days are getting longer, bringing more
light and optimism to each of us. At LTA we are cautiously optimistic
about Congressional approval of expanded conservation tax incentives
as part of the tax reconciliation bill.
Thanks to the work of many
land trusts, the Senate version of the bill includes our incentives,
but the final decision is up to a conference committee that is expected
to vote sometime before Easter. If successful, this will be the single
most important improvement in conservation tax law in 20 years. We
will send you an update as soon as Congress acts. Please check our
website for more
information.
In this issue, you will also find briefings
on new funding and trends in land conservation.
Sincerely,
Rand Wentworth
President, Land Trust Alliance
P.S.
To ensure future delivery of these e-mails, please add eNews@lta.org to your safe sender list or address
book.
|
Conservation Wins at
the Polls
On November 8th, 2005, voters in 67 communities across the country approved
49 conservation ballot measures generating over $650 million in open space
funds. These results, compiled by the Trust for Public Land, were recently
published in the latest issue of LandVote. Some notable measures included
a $20 million bond in James City County, VA; a $10 million bond in Pike County,
PA; and two property tax levies in Sussex and Camden County, N.J.
Additionally,
a team of researchers at Resources for the Future is using LandVote
and other data to examine political questions associated with open space
referenda. This is great news, showing again that people living in many different
areas put a premium on conserving natural areas for the future.
More about LandVote
Read the Resources
for the Future report (PDF, 609KB)
Land Trusts in the News
Read what the press has been saying about land trusts:
Grants and Awards
Acres for America - Provides funding for projects that conserve important
habitats through acquisition of interest in real property. The program is a
partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wal-Mart
Stores, Inc. Pre-proposals are due April 1, 2006.
International Paper Environmental Awards - International Paper and
The Conservation Fund will provide national recognition and $10,000 cash grants
to the winners of two awards, one for the International Paper Conservation
Partnership Award and other for the International Paper Environmental Education
Award. Nominations are being accepted through April 17, 2006.
More Information
Software Reviews for Nonprofits
Feel like your software isn't meeting your needs, but overwhelmed by all the
products and vendors you see? So are a lot of your nonprofit colleagues and
out of this frustration, Idealware was launched. This new website provides
candid reviews and articles about software of interest to nonprofits. Recent
titles include:
- Ten Common Mistakes in Selecting Donor Databases (And How to Avoid
Them),
- Donate Now: Selecting an Online Donation Tool, and
- A Few Good Email Newsletter
Tools.
More Information
Land Trust Success Story
 |
The Milne sisters on their family's land.
Photo courtesy Liberty Prairie Conservancy. |
Already a well-established steward for the Liberty Prairie Reserve, the Liberty
Prairie Conservancy has expanded its mission to include land protection throughout
Lake County, Illinois.
Their first land protection agreement resulting from
their expanded mission was recently completed, when the Milne Family donated
a conservation easement on land that they have owned for over 40 years.
Read the complete article
|
