| March 14, 2007 |
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Dear Friend,A bill to make the expanded tax incentive for conservation easement donations permanent may be introduced in the House this week by Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Dave Camp (R-MI). This is the best opportunity we have to make the tax incentive permanent – and we need your help! Be sure to tell your Representative how important the incentive is to conservation and to cosponsor the Thompson-Camp bill. We have posted new information and materials about the legislation. Please also make sure your members of Congress understand your land trust’s work. Let them know every time you close an easement or acquire a preserve property that is important to your community. We need their support for the laws that enable us to conserve land.
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New Question on Form 990There is a new question about conservation easement donations on Form 990 for 2006 -- a major change for land trusts with respect to IRS disclosure. Some land trusts have missed this as some tax preparation software may not catch the change. Farming Magazine Cover Story on Easements
Land trusts and easements were recently featured in a cover story in The Furrow, one of the biggest distribution magazines for farmers in the world, with a circulation of 1.5 million. The Alliance contributed to this story, which will hopefully generate more interest from farmers and ranchers across the country. New Membership Benefit – Communications Tool DiscountWe’re excited to offer a new benefit to Alliance land trust members: discounted membership with the environmental communications service Green Media Toolshed! Their comprehensive online media database and Web tools can help your land trust quickly and efficiently reach the press, the public and beyond. Join before May 1 for an extra 10% off! Learn more Free Conservation Data and Map Webinar
Join Frank Biasi, director of conservation projects at National Geographic Maps for a tour of The Conservation Geoportal on Monday March 26. This free webinar will demonstrate a new online catalog of conservation data and maps, which makes it easy to discover and publish information about conservation-related maps and GIS data developed by different groups. It includes a discussion of how land trusts can take advantage of Geoportal's mapping and data discovery features, and contribute their content for others to discover and use. Sign up today! Spring Conference Highlights
Look forward to great presentations, fun field trips and inspiring people at the regional conferences this spring. Jerome Ringo, a conservationist, champion of environmental justice and skilled coalition-builder, is the keynote speaker at the Northeast Land Trust Conference. Jerome’s dedication to furthering diversity in the environmental movement is helping find new ways to make our communities sustainable. Learn more about Jerome and see highlights for other upcoming regional conferences, along with information on state conferences from our partners in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Grants and Awards
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The Land Trust Alliance promotes voluntary land conservation and strengthens the land trust movement by providing the leadership, information, skills and resources land trusts need to conserve land for the benefit of communities and natural systems. |
