CONSERVATION CORNER

Conservation Easement Workshops To Be Held

by James L. Cummins

Mississippi's private citizens own approximately 75% of the state's land. For many Mississippi landowners, their land is part of their family's history, their community and their state. But the Mississippi landscape is changing. Today about 80 percent of all Mississippians live in cities and towns, compared to about 25 percent 50 years ago. As our urban population grows, natural habitats and scenic open spaces are displaced.

A conservation easement is one way to maintain this habitat. It 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.

The Mississippi Land Trust would like to invite interested Mississippi landowners to one of their upcoming conservation easement workshops in the next few months.

The first easement workshop will be held at Big Creek Wildlife, which is near Hattiesburg, on July 22nd. This is a one-day workshop. The cost for this workshop will be $45 which covers registration, lunch and handout materials.

The next workshop is scheduled for August 3rd and 4th at Tara Wildlife located near Vicksburg, Mississippi. The cost for this workshop is $145 which covers a tour, registration, one night's stay, two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast and handout materials.

At the workshop, participants will be treated to a diversity of easement topics. Daniel Coggin, Director of the Mississippi Land Trust, will make a presentation on conservation easement use and application. Gerald Barber (Barber and Mann) will conduct a presentation on determining values of conservation easements while Bill Tomlinson (Wildlife Technical Services) will give a presentation on conservation ethics and baseline documentation.

Other speakers at the workshops include Doug Hassell (Teller, Chaney, Hassell & Hopson, LLP). Hassell will inform workshop participants on estate and tax planning benefits from conservation easements. Steve Sessums (May & Company, LLP) will lead an insightful discussion on tax preparation and conservation easements.

Priority attendees for each workshop will be private landowners. If you are interested in attending one of the upcoming workshops, please call the Mississippi Land Trust at (662) 686-3375 for a workshop application and brochure.

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. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.