A combination of two property donations and three conservation easements in Fayette and south Fulton counties has increased the amount of preserved greenspace managed by Southern Conservation Trust. The donations bring the total number of acres permanently protected by the trust to more than 1,000. The trust manages the Flat Creek and Line Creek Nature Areas, and also owns Sams Lake Preserve in Fayette County.

In December, landowners Brent Scarbrough and Buford Chandler donated 60 acres of forest and buffer near the Flint River. The Nesmith family of Peachtree City and Birmingham donated 100 acres on Whitewater Creek near the Starr’s Mill school complex. The trust is evaluating both for possible public trails.

In addition, three landowners placed conservation easements on their properties in 2006. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a property owner and a land trust that permanently limits development and protects natural resources. The resulting loss of land value to the owner is considered a charitable donation that can result in lower federal and state income and property taxes.

“By working with landowners to preserve these natural areas, the trust helps protect water quality in our streams and lakes, maintain wildlife areas and scenic views, and keep open space in our community,” said executive director Abby Jordan.

In 2006, both the U.S. Congress and the Georgia legislature approved conservation incentive programs that increase tax benefits for those who donate land or an easement to a land trust. The Georgia land trust community, which protects more than 100,000 acres, expects these incentives to dramatically increase the amount of protected acreage in the state.

Said Jordan, “With three protection projects already under way for 2007, the Trust will be busy throughout the year placing many more acres in conservation.”

Southern Conservation Trust, based in Fayette County, operates in Metro Atlanta’s Southern Crescent and the Upper Flint and Chattahoochee River basins. For more information on conservation easements and the expanded tax benefits available to landowners, contact Southern Conservation Trust at 770-486-7774 or info@sctlandtrust.org.

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