Proposed Conservation Defense Program Clears the First Hurdle
The first goal toward feasibility of the conservation defense insurance program being explored by the Land Trust Alliance has been met, with 13,169 properties committed by 335 land trusts from 46 states. (12,000 were needed to proceed.) But even with... [read more]
Most Recent Expectations for Improvement
Decisions to award land trust accreditation may be accompanied by expectations for improvement when the Accreditation Commission determines that the land trust must take action over time to improve compliance for certain practices. If an accredited land trust submits an... [read more]
Local Land Trust Featured in Downeast Magazine
Read the article.... [read more]
Accreditation Program Changes Announced
The accreditation process is changing to be more efficient. [read more]
Maine Attorney General Helps Enforce an Easement
After years of costly litigation, the Windham Land Trust has won its case to protect the Freeman Farm in Gray from commercial uses prohibited in the 2003 conservation easement it holds. In March 2009, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the land trust's objection to having the farm's conserved lands converted to a campground and festival grounds for commercial music venues. [read more]
Supporting Traditional Economic Interests
Many Maine land trusts conserve properties that feed the local economy and sustain traditional ways of life. Unlike residential development, which can carry a high cost in long-term services, farmland, forest land, working waterfronts and recreational lands all provide an ongoing source of local revenue, and benefit many businesses. [read more]
Approaching Accreditation
In 2004 the Land Trust Alliance commissioned a group of land trust leaders to study the best way to ensure long-term public confidence in land trusts. The result of that process was the development of a voluntary accreditation program for land trusts. Since then, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission formed and developed an accreditation program which is currently being tested in advance of a 2008 public launch. [read more]
New Electronic Filing Requirement For Small Tax-Exempt Organizations "Annual Electronic Notice" e-Postcard (Form 990-N)
Beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations that previously were not required to file returns may be required to file an annual electronic notice, Form 990-N, *Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations not Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ*. This filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006. [read more]
Expanded Tax Incentives for Conservation Easements
After years of advocacy by the land conservation community, Congress recently approved expanded federal income tax deductions for conservation easement donations. These incentives may accelerate the pace of land protection in Maine during the next two years. [read more]
Land Trusts Merge to Form Royal River Conservation Trust
The New Gloucester Preservation Trust, North Yarmouth Land Trust, Yarmouth Land Trust, and Friends of the Royal River recently merged, forming the Royal River Conservation Trust. [read more]
