The TLC not only benefits the public through the acquisition of natural areas, but
our work helps to sustain our environment for everyone. The protection of
natural areas protects natural communities and native species, but also the
functions or ecosystem services that those natural areas provide to everyone,
including the maintenance of fresh air, clean water, and a stable climate, among
many others. The work of the TLC also sustains or enhances the quality of life
for the public by protecting natural surroundings, natural beauty, and
opportunities for passive recreation. These, in-turn, usually result in an increase
in property values for nearby residents.
Specifically, the TLC can help you. Land and conservation easement donations
to the TLC protect your land in perpetuity, can reduce your property tax, and can
reduce your income tax. The TLC can guide you on restoring, creating, or
improving native habitat, and controlling invasive weeds. The TLC can connect
you with helpful resources. The TLC can help you learn about your land and
more thoroughly enjoy nature.
The Thumb is a great place with so much worth protecting. Every plant, animal,
woods, field, wetland, creek, … even your yard, now matters. Consider creating
or restoring native habitat on your property as a means of not only supporting
the TLC mission, but supporting the world.
Paying Work From The TLC
In some cases, the TLC may be able to pay you for your work. We have some
paid stewardship work available with on-the-job training. We may also have a
budget for fundraising assistants for some land protection projects. Please
contact the TLC for more details.
Land Protection
Land Donation
The TLC accepts donations of land, both for preservation or for resale to support
our program according to the wishes of the landowner. Acceptance of any land
donation is subject to a written agreement and due diligence investigations.
While the TLC has not asked for an endowment fund to pay for future land
costs, we do ask that the donor pay all closing costs, including all taxes and
special assessments due. Unfortunately, while the TLC is a 501(c)3 non-profit
charity exempt from property taxes, conservancies like the TLC are not exempt
from special tax assessments for utilities, roads, and county drains. Property
and income tax benefits to the land donor are highly variable depending on local
taxing authorities, the donor’s tax situation, and the appraised value of the land.
Conservation Easement Donation
The TLC accept donations of conservation easements for the purpose of
protecting natural areas, and in some cases, agricultural land. Because the
establishment of a conservation easement requires production of a detailed
baseline assessment report and other conservation easement documents, we
usually ask the landowner to pay a fee. In circumstances where the landowner
is unable to pay, we may waive the fee. However, the landowner may need to
pay other costs that are beyond our control, such as for land surveying and
attorney review. The TLC tries to work with the landowner to keep all costs to a
minimum. The landowner should also keep in mind, especially in those cases
where they receive a significant tax benefit, that the TLC is committed to annual
inspections of the easement premises and reporting in perpetuity. Property and
income tax benefits to the conservation easement donor are highly variable
depending on local taxing authorities, the donor’s tax situation, and the
appraised value of the land.
Habitat Improvement
The TLC provides advice on native habitat improvement and restoration. We
can guide you through the process.
TLC Naturehoods
You can help not only the TLC in its mission of protecting natural areas, but also
the entire world by creating or restoring natural habitat on your property. The
TLC Naturehood certification program recognizes natural areas restored using
locally endemic seed and plant stock. We can also certify created natural
habitats that do not necessarily represent the original native and endemic
community, but which still benefit wildlife and the environment. We are also
happy to provide you with advice on restoring, creating, and maintaining native
habitats, and by connecting you with information and resources. Contact us for if
you have questions or seek certification.
Education
References
The TLC makes available a large amount of educational materials regarding
natural areas of the Thumb region. We also have several references on the TLC
web site. As our schedule allows, the TLC can make educational presentations.
The TLC has participated in several environmental gatherings and efforts in the
region to provide public education.
Planning
The TLC can advise local and regional planners on the importance of our natural
features, with detailed information about various natural communities, native
species, invasive weed control, and land protection methods.
