September 1, 2003

Conservation Easement Workshop Offered
by James L. Cummins

A conservation easement is a legal agreement that ensures a property will be managed in perpetuity according to the landowner's desires. It also qualifies the landowner for significant tax benefits. Conservation easements can assist landowners in protecting their land, wildlife habitat, scenic areas or historic buildings. Every conservation easement document is individually crafted and reflects the special qualities of the land protected and the needs of the landowner.

A recent workshop held at Tara Wildlife near Vicksburg proved to be a big success for approximately 72 private landowners and others interested in conservation easements. The workshop was co-sponsored by the Mississippi Land Trust and the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Other sponsors of the workshop included Wildlife Technical Services, Tara Wildlife; Teller, Chaney, Hassell & Hopson, LLP; May & Company, LLP; Barber and Mann, and; Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC.

At the workshop, participants were treated to a diversity of easement topics. Gilbert Rose (Tara Wildlife) opened the workshop and discussed Tara's experience with conservation easements. Daniel Coggin, Director of the Mississippi Land Trust, made a presentation on conservation easement use and application. Gerald Barber (Barber and Mann) conducted a presentation on determining values of conservation easements while Bill Tomlinson (Wildlife Technical Services) gave a presentation on conservation ethics and baseline documentation.

Other speakers at the workshop included Doug Hassell (Teller, Chaney, Hassell & Hopson, LLP). Hassell informed workshop participants on estate and tax planning benefits from conservation easements. Steve Sessums (May & Company, LLP) led an insightful discussion on tax preparation from a conservation easement perspective. I gave an update on the conservation provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill and carbon sequestration.

During the short course, participants were treated to first class accommodations and meals at Tara Wildlife's lodge. After the presentations, participants had the opportunity to tour Tara Wildlife's property and participate in skeet shooting.

Due to the increase demand for information on conservation easements, the Mississippi Land Trust is scheduled to hold two additional workshops in the northern and southern portions of the state. If you would like to attend one of these workshops, please call the Mississippi Land Trust (www.misslandtrust.org) at (662) 256-4486 for more information of workshop locations, dates and times and to be placed on the mailing list for future workshops.


James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi