Photo by Todd Parker, courtesy Little Traverse Conservancy

Upcoming Conservation Events and Trainings

DENVER, CO - The Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts has organized several upcoming conservation events and training sessions throughout Colorado. A complete list of events and trainings can be found here: www.cclt.org. (posted 9/6/07)

Alliance Hires New Midwest Field Representative

We are happy to welcome MaryKay O'Donnell, who joined the Land Trust Alliance's Midwest Office as a Field Representative on March 12, 2007. She comes to the position with nearly twenty years of experience in conservation work, most recently holding previous positions with The Conservation Fund and Little Traverse Conservancy. More

Glass vs. Commissioner UPDATE

The Land Trust Alliance and the Little Traverse Conservancy submitted a "friend of the court" brief in response to the IRS's appeal of a Tax Court verdict. The IRS argues for new and very narrow interpretations of what wildlife habitat is "significant" enough that its protection with a conservation easement would merit a tax deduction. The Alliance argues for a more inclusive interpretation.

On December 21, 2006, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the Glass case rejecting the IRS's arguments for a greatly narrower reading of what qualifies for protection with a tax-deductible donation of a conservation easement. The IRS's very narrow view of how stringent the protection the easement provides must be was also rejected. The IRS had argued that the easement cannot allow virtually any activity that could conceivably harm conservation values, under any circumstances. See the Circuit Court's decision. (posted 1/8/07)

New Michigan Law Eliminates "Pop-up" Tax on Conservation Land
A powerful new incentive for private land conservation was signed into law in early December 2006 by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, eliminating the “pop-up tax” on the sale or inheritance of land covered by qualified conservation agreements and allowing families to pass down property without a huge tax bill. More (posted 1/5/07)

The State of Our Chicago Wilderness: A Report Card on the Health of the Region's Ecosystems
The Report Card was published by Chicago Wilderness, a consortium of more than 180 public and private organizations that have joined forces to protect, restore and manage the region's natural lands and the plants and animals. The Land Trust Alliance is a member of the consortium. Several years in the making, The Report Card assesses the state of local natural communities and makes recommendations on how to improve upon the grades assigned. For more information visit the Chicago Wilderness website or download the report. (posted 9/15/06)

More than $6 Million Available in Great Lakes
Land trusts in the eight-state Great Lakes basin can apply to The Conservation Fund (TCF) for interim funding to purchase land or conservation easements. TCF received a $6.5 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to launch the Great Lakes Revolving Loan Fund, which will provide loans to protect coastal and freshwater sites of high ecological significance.

The revolving fund will provide interim funding to land trusts and public agencies. The revolving fund is expected to protect $15 million of land in five years. Application forms are available from Michael Kelly, Great Lakes Office, The Conservation Fund, PO Box 734, Bay City, MI 48707, 989-892-9171, fax: 989-892-9172, kellym@conservationfund.org.

For information on land trust success stories, visit our Midwest Success Stories page.