What is a Land Trust and How to Protect Land  
 
Land Trusts are non-profit community-based organizations that are funded largely through membership dues and donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations, along with government grants. They work to permanently protect land that has natural, recreational, scenic or historic value depending on each community's needs.

Over 1,200 land trusts are active across the United States, protecting over 6.2 million acres of open space. land trusts are experts at helping interested landowners find ways to protect their land in the face of ever-growing development pressure. For a comprehensive list of Land Trusts, see the Land Trust Alliance web site: www.lta.org

What do Land Trusts do? Land Trusts such as VMILT are experts at helping landowners and communities find ways to protect their lands. Many people own land they would like to see remain free from development for their lifetime and for future generations. Doing nothing to protect a piece of land may doom it to development. Why? Estate taxes are one reason. Federal taxes can be as high as 55% of a property's fair market value, virtually forcing heirs to sell it. And, of course, future owners may be compelled by ever-increasing property values or simply by a lack of appreciation for the land to sell it for development.

For advice about protecting property on Vashon and Maury, contact Tom Dean, the executive director of VMILT at 463-2644 or tom@vashonlandtrust.org.

SOME OPTIONS FOR PRESERVING LAND:
Conservation Easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently protects land while the landowner continues to own it. Usually it involves a deed restriction that limits development rights. Donating a conservation easement can result in substantial tax deductions.
Land Donation: Donating conservation land to a land trust is a wonderful way to share its beauty with future generations. The donation can even be set up in a way that allows one to continue to live on the land or to receive a life income.
Bargain Sale of Land: Selling land to the land trust at less than fair market value can make it affordable for the land trust and provide tax benefits for the landowner.
Current Use Taxation Status: In King County, there is a Public Benefit Rating System whereby a landowner can achieve Current Use Taxation Status for land that is kept in forest, agriculture or open space. Each winter, the Vashon Maury Island Land Trust offers a Forest Management class that teaches landowners how to manage their forest land and how to write a Forest Management Plan which can be taken to the King County Assessor to apply for Current Use Taxation Status.