Putting your property into a land trust or conservation easement isn’t as hard as it sounds.  In fact, many people think it is going to take too much time or they just don’t know where to begin.

See the Basic Steps to put your property into a conservation easement with the Platte Land Trust.

Further information can be found at Land Trust Alliance Website.

10 Steps to a Land Trust

Step 1.  You and a Platte Land Trust Representative take a tour of your property.

Step 2.  Platte Land Trust reviews your property and conservation goals with the Board of Directors. We use a Project Selection Criteria to assess your project with our conservation strategic plan.

Step 3.  Consult legal and tax advisers.  It is your responsibility to review the legal and financial implications and benefits of donating a conservation easement.

Step 4.  The Platte Land Trust prepares and signs an engagement letter with the landowner, conducts due diligence tasks (title report, data collection), and prepares a baseline documentation report of the property.

Step 5.  You provide the  legal description and pertinent information to Platte Land Trust.

Step 6.  You obtain a mortgage subordination for the property, if necessary.

Step 7.  Together we draft the conservation easement agreement, specifying the uses of the land and  restrictions.

Step 8. A qualified appraisal is completed by a qualified appraiser for the landowner.  An accurate appraisal is key to understanding the conservation easement value as a charitable donation and thus what potential tax benefits may apply.

Step 9.  We both sign the easement document and baseline document.  Platte Land Trust records the easement with the county Recorder of Deeds. PLT acknowledges all gifts and contributions.

Step 10.  The Platte Land Trust Provides stewardship of the conservation easement in perpetuity, partnering with landowners to uphold the conservation easement.

For more information about land conservation easements and partnering with the Platte Land Trust, contact the President of the Board of Directors.
Carla Dods, 816-716-3402