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Resources

State Tax Credits for Conservation Donations
Individuals who donate land or easements for conservation often qualify for a federal tax deduction. In addition, in 12 states these donors may also qualify for a state tax credit. Each state's program is unique, and qualifying for a federal tax benefit does not automatically qualify a donor for a state benefit. Learn the basic information on the existing state tax credit programs, here.(updated 6/29/06)

State Funding for Permanent Land Conservation
The Nature Conservancy compiled information on funding for land conservation in all 50 states. Learn more about how your state government can help you protect land. (updated 6/12/06)

Have your own news on local land conservation policy and funding? E-mail policy@lta.org!

News

Peterson Ranch in Texas. Photo courtesy of the Bexar Land Trust

Agriculture Victory in Cecil County Maryland
Cecil County Commissioners voted in favor of a new zoning proposal that helps prevent sprawl, while ensuring land preservation. The amendment, Downzoning and Transferable Development Rights (TDR), will move new development toward designated growth areas and help landowners permanently preserve their land. Read the full article on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website. (posted 9/29/06)

Bill Protecting State Parks and Management Areas is Approved by RI General Assembly
On Saturday, June 24, Rhode Island’s General Assembly approved legislation (S 2497 - text of bill) that gives Rhode Island’s state-owned lands a new level of protection. This legislation will ensure that state-owned open space lands will continue to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders and provide a secure legacy for future generations.

Under the bill, the Department of Environmental Management with the Department of Administration must adopt rules and criteria for "preserving and protecting the state’s interest in open space values." The Rhode Island Land Trust Council's Rupert Friday says that calls and e-mails from land trusts and their supporters made a tremendous difference. See our Lobbying 101 page for more information on how you can make a difference in the political process! (posted 6/30/06)

Massachusetts Conservation Tax Credit Bill
Mass Audubon is working with The Nature Conservancy to advance legislation that would establish a new state income tax credit for landowners who make voluntary donations of land to public agencies or qualified non-profit conservation organizations. The bill is presently before the House Committee on Ways & Means. In May, Representative Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington), the bill’s sponsor, delivered a letter, co-signed by over 70 representatives, urging House Ways & Means to release the bill for consideration on the House floor. For more information visit the Mass Audubon website or download a flyer. (posted 6/2/06)

Georgia Gov. Perdue Signs Legislation Creating Tax Credit for Land Conservation
Corporations and individuals in Georgia that donate land or a conservation easement to the state, a county, a municipality, or a charitable nonprofit organization could receive a tax credit of up to $500,000 and $250,000 respectively under a bill (H.B. 1107) signed April 21 by Gov. Sonny Perdue (R). More (posted 4/27/06)

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LandVote

	2007 - Voters Give A 65% Approval Rate For Conservation Finance Ballot Measures In 2007, voters across the country approved 64 of 98 conservation finance ballot measures, a 65 percent approval rate. These measures will generate $2 billion in new funding to protect natural areas, lands that protect drinking water supplies, and working farms. They will also create new parks in our growing suburban areas and our urban centers. The approval rate during this off-year election did lag behind the historic 75 percent approval rate, and that dip may stem from economic uncertainty and a real estate slowdown, especially in the Northeastern United States.
	2006 - Voter-Approved Funding for Land Conservation Reaches Record Levels At the November 7th midterm elections, voters in 23 states approved 104 ballot measures, which will provide $6.4 billion in new funding for land conservation. This eclipses the previous record, set in the November 1998 election, of $5.68 billion. Voter-approved funding for the entire year also reached an all-time high of $6.7 billion, compared to $5.86 billion in 1998. Furthermore, the 80 percent approval rate for the November election outpaced the 75 percent approval rate that has been common over the past decade.
	2005 - Americans Invest in Parks and Conservation The November 2005 elections concluded yet another very strong year for conservation finance across the country. Overall, 138 ballot measures were presented to voters and 80 percent were approved – the highest percentage of any year since 2000. Voters approved nearly $1.7 billion in new conservation dollars.
	2004 - A Divided Electorate Finds Common Ground When it Comes to Conservation In 2004, state and local voters approved 75 percent of the 217 conservation measures on ballots nationwide, generating $4 billion in new conservation funding and continuing a rate of success that has been consistent since 1996.
	2003 - American Voters Care About Saving the Special Places in their Communities Our 6th annual examination of ballot measures supporting land conservation reviews election results from 134 communities across the U.S. where voters were asked to support public funding to save farms and ranch lands, buy parkland, preserve watersheds, and support other conservation purposes. In 2003, voters again spoke loudly, approving 100 of these measures and generating $1.8 billion for conservation.
	2002 - Voters Approve $2.9 Billion for Land Conservation Voters in 93 communities in 22 states approved on Nov. 5 ballot measures that committed $2.9 billion to acquire and restore land for parks and open space. The successful measures were among 109 conservation measures considered on state and local ballots across the United States. On Nov. 5 alone, voters approved 85 percent of the referenda on which they voted. (posted 11/6/02) More
	2001 - Voters Commit Nearly $1.7 Billion to Open Space Voters in 2001 approved 137 of the 196 local and state ballot measures for open space, committing almost $1.7 billion in funding for parks and open space conservation, according to the Land Trust Alliance and the Trust for Public Land . Since 1998, voters have given their support to more than $19 billion in open space funding, passing 529 referenda. (posted 1/18/02)
	2000 - The Land Trust Alliance Report of Open Space Acquisition Ballot Measures In a year likely to be remembered for a presidential election that was almost too close to call, voters overwhelmingly agreed on at least one issue: the importance of protecting open space. In state and local elections across the nation in 2000, they committed $7.5 billion of their tax dollars to protect the landscapes around them.
	1999 - The Land Trust Alliance Report of Open Space Acquisition Ballot Measures Voters in communities across the United States in 1999 sounded an overwhelming “yes” to land conservation as they authorized more than $1.8 billion in local taxing authority and bonds for open space preservation.
	1998 - The Land Trust Alliance Report of Open Space Acquisition Ballot Measures Voters overwhelmingly approved ballot measures to protect open space on Nov. 3, 1998, voting in eight of 10 state initiatives and a vast majority of county and municipal open space measures. Land Trust Alliance compiled the results of 148 ballot questions on open space funding, of which 124 (84 percent) were approved by the public.

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