Land Trusts

1. Are land trusts government agencies?

No – they are independent, entrepreneurial organizations that work with landowners who are interested in protecting natural areas.  But land trusts often work cooperatively with governmental agencies by acquiring or managing land, researching natural area needs and priorities, or assisting in the development of natural area plans.

2. What is a land trust?

A land trust is a private, non-profit organization that acquires and manages land for the purpose of permanent conservation. 

3. What are the advantages of working with a land trust?

Land trusts are very closely tied to the communities in which they operate.  Moreover, land trust’s non-profit tax status brings them a variety of tax benefits.  Donations of land, voluntary land preservation agreements (conservation easements), or money qualify you for income, estate, or gift tax savings.  And, because they are private organizations, land trusts can be more flexible and creative than public agencies and can act more quickly in saving land.

4. What does a land trust do?

Local and regional land trusts, organized as charitable organizations under federal tax laws, are directly involved in conserving land for its natural, recreational, scenic, historical, and productive values.  Land trusts can purchase land for permanent protection; or they may use one of several other methods: accept donations of land or the funds to purchase land, accept a bequest, or accept the donation of a voluntary land preservation agreement (conservation easement), which permanently limits the type and scope of development that can take place on the land.  In some instances, land trusts also purchase conservation easements.

5. How does SEALT’s work complement other land trusts operating in Southeast Arizona? 

We are a local, agricultural community based organization whose role is to represent the interests of the land owner throughout all the steps required to develop a successful land preservation agreement.

We strive to make you fully aware of conservation options by providing the tools, information, and resources to assure that you have the information you need to make an informed decision.  We can also recommend and help facilitate funding, or we can serve as the “broker” for the project.