LAND - They're not making any more of it!
One of the more interesting functions of the Land Conservancy of Lake County (LCLC) is the ability
to obtain and own property. The ownership of land enables LCLC to carry out important aspects of
its nonprofit charter. Members benefit through opportunities to develop land stewardship skills and
feel a sense of accomplishment. The public benefits through the long-term protection of our
dwindling land resources.
to obtain and own property. The ownership of land enables LCLC to carry out important aspects of
its nonprofit charter. Members benefit through opportunities to develop land stewardship skills and
feel a sense of accomplishment. The public benefits through the long-term protection of our
dwindling land resources.
LCLC, through its Land Committee, regularly reviews requests to accept donations of additional
properties. During a typical year, the Land Committee may talk to five or more land owners wishing
to donate property to LCLC. Often, the inquiries only lead to exchanges of information and
discussion without a land donation being made. Some of the items the Land Committee looks at
during a negotiation are the intended use of the property, its location, resources available, and the
willingness of the donor to grant an endowment for the long-term protection and management of
the site.
properties. During a typical year, the Land Committee may talk to five or more land owners wishing
to donate property to LCLC. Often, the inquiries only lead to exchanges of information and
discussion without a land donation being made. Some of the items the Land Committee looks at
during a negotiation are the intended use of the property, its location, resources available, and the
willingness of the donor to grant an endowment for the long-term protection and management of
the site.
Know of anyone interested in donating land to LCLC?
Contact the Land Committee Chairman, Jeffrey Koziel at (847) 356-6001.
Contact the Land Committee Chairman, Jeffrey Koziel at (847) 356-6001.
WHAT IS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT?
Conservation easements are voluntary restrictions on the use of land negotiated by the land owner
and the organization chosen by the land owner to "hold" (enforce) the easement. The purpose of a
conservation easement is to conserve some aspect of the land identified as being of value to the
community.
and the organization chosen by the land owner to "hold" (enforce) the easement. The purpose of a
conservation easement is to conserve some aspect of the land identified as being of value to the
community.
The terms of conservation easements are entirely up to the land owner and prospective easement
holder to negotiate. However, the Internal Revenue Code establishes standards for easements
that, if met, qualify the donation of the easement for tax deductions.
holder to negotiate. However, the Internal Revenue Code establishes standards for easements
that, if met, qualify the donation of the easement for tax deductions.
The protection of farm land, ranch land, and timber land, particularly where such land is under
residential or commercial development pressure and where local planning identifies such
activities as valuable to the community, are typical objectives of conservation easements. In
addition, the protection of wetlands, floodplains, areas providing habitat to important wildlife, and
land possessing unusual beauty also are appropriate uses of easements.
residential or commercial development pressure and where local planning identifies such
activities as valuable to the community, are typical objectives of conservation easements. In
addition, the protection of wetlands, floodplains, areas providing habitat to important wildlife, and
land possessing unusual beauty also are appropriate uses of easements.
Easements that are permanent, donated (rather than sold) by the land owner, and that conserve for
the public benefit one or more of the foregoing characteristics of land typically qualify for the tax
benefits offered by the Internal Revenue Code.
the public benefit one or more of the foregoing characteristics of land typically qualify for the tax
benefits offered by the Internal Revenue Code.
Although easements must create a public benefit to quality for tax deductions, this does not mean
that the public gains access to the land. Unless the purpose of the easement is the conservation
of some feature that is meaningless without public access, such as the preservation of a beautiful
view, no public access is required.
that the public gains access to the land. Unless the purpose of the easement is the conservation
of some feature that is meaningless without public access, such as the preservation of a beautiful
view, no public access is required.
In addition, easements normally permit the continuation of the rural uses being enjoyed by the land
owner at the time of the donation of the easement. Land subject to a conservation easement may
be freely sold, donated, passed onto heirs and transferred in every normal fashion, as long as it
remains subject to the restrictions of the easement. It is even possible to retain some rights to
limited development of land, including limited residential construction so long as the retention of
such rights does not undercut the conservation purpose of the easement.
owner at the time of the donation of the easement. Land subject to a conservation easement may
be freely sold, donated, passed onto heirs and transferred in every normal fashion, as long as it
remains subject to the restrictions of the easement. It is even possible to retain some rights to
limited development of land, including limited residential construction so long as the retention of
such rights does not undercut the conservation purpose of the easement.
To quality for a tax deduction, easements must be donated either to a federal, state, or local
government agency, or to a private charitable organization that has the capacity to enforce the
terms of the easement. Such an organization is the Land Conservancy of Lake County which
qualifies as a charitable organization under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
government agency, or to a private charitable organization that has the capacity to enforce the
terms of the easement. Such an organization is the Land Conservancy of Lake County which
qualifies as a charitable organization under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Memorial Contributions
The Land Conservancy of Lake County also accepts contributions through memorials in honor of a
loved one or for a special purpose, such as the William Rockar Education Fund, equipment, or for
land management on a specific LCLC nature preserve. LCLC will notify the individual or family of
your donation.
The Land Conservancy of Lake County also accepts contributions through memorials in honor of a
loved one or for a special purpose, such as the William Rockar Education Fund, equipment, or for
land management on a specific LCLC nature preserve. LCLC will notify the individual or family of
your donation.
For more information, contact the Land Conservancy of Lake County using the information below.
LAND CONSERVANCY OF LAKE COUNTY
P.O. BOX 293
Lake Villa, IL 60046
(847) 356-6001
P.O. BOX 293
Lake Villa, IL 60046
(847) 356-6001
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