Conservation Resources
On-line Presentations
Forest Stewardship Online Workshop: Plan for the Future of Your Land
Many landowners are torn between not wanting to see their land developed and wanting to provide an inheritance for children or other heirs. However, it does not have to be an “either/or” situation. With creative planning and some compromise, families can allow for some measure of both. This workshop addresses some of these issues and presents effective land conservation and estate planning tools to help families find a solution – so that they can protect their land and leave a legacy for the next generation.
Dr. Michael Gutter’s presentation discusses the importance of wills and proper estate planning. Busy Shires Byerly focused on the income, estate and property tax benefits of conservation easements. She also presented information about programs that purchase conservation easements.
The Polycom was recorded and broadcast live via Polycom on December 14, 2011 from the University of Florida Campus to Extension facilities in Alachua, Baker, Clay, Gadsden, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Lake, Madison, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Osceola, Polk, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties.
Michael Gutter, Chris Demers - Plan for the Future of Your Land - Part 1
Busy Kislig-Shires Byerly, Chris Demers - Plan for the Future of Your Land - Part 2
Program materials can be accessed online, including handouts on Ownership Succession, the Easement Purchase Program Guide, a Conservation Funding Options Chart, and Conservation Tax Benefits.
Springs Protection On-line Workshop - Land Use and Water Quality
In May 2012 the CTF participated in a workshop that identified land uses that may impact water quality, and provided information for landowners on effective methods to promote increased water quality, particularly manure management systems used by horse farm owners, as well as the use of conservation easements in protecting springs and water quality. This session also provided a thorough discussion on the hydrogeology of the spring basins.
- Introduction by David Pais and Remarks by Former Governor Buddy Mackay - 11 Minutes
- Peter Colverson, former coordinator of the Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs Basin Working Group - Groundwater and Springs Protection - Background on Hydrogeology - 49 Minutes
- Dr. Robert Knight, Director, Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute - Water Quality and Flow at Marion County's Springs - 30 Minutes
- Charles Lee, Director of Advocacy, Audubon of Florida - Aligning the Interests of Landowners with Environmental Restoration - 27 Minutes
- Busy Kislig-Shires Byerly, Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc - Tax Benefits of Conservation Easements Introduction - 16 Minutes.
- Jamie Cohen, Farm Outreach Coordinator, University of Florida/IFAS Marion County Extension Service - Strategies to reduce excess Nitrogen and Sediment - 30 Minutes
- Question and Answer Session with Workshop Speakers - 49 Minutes
Download Speaker Bios and Contact Information here.
The CTF provides expert advice on conservation planning. Many presentations by the CTF and their partners are available here for on-line viewing.
We also recommend:
Property Tax Benefits of Conservation Easements
George Wheeler - Conservation Exemptions, Agricultural Classification for Property Tax
Working Landscapes in Alachua County
Busy Byerly, Executive Director, Conservation Trust for Florida
DVD Presentations...
The Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc (CTF), the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Florida’s Forest Stewardship Program hosted two interactive seminars for landowners to learn practical steps for passing their land from one generation to the next. The May 11, 2010 seminar held at the Trinkle Center, Plant City, Florida was videotaped by IFAS. Here are the links to the Conservation Easement presentations. The presentations are provided in the order in which they were given. DVDs are available for purchase from CTF for $10.
- Conservation Easement Gutter Planning
- Busy Byerly - The Importance of Conservation Lands
- John Feldman - Financial Incentives of Conservation Easements
- Leon Stricklen Property Appraisal and Conservation Easements
- George Wheeler - State Property Tax Incentives of Conservation Easements
- Busy Byerly - Funding Sources for Conservation Easements
- Ellen Huntley Dube - Taking the Next Step: Creating a Conservation Easement
Publications
Articles
Letter to the Editor: Land Trusts Conserve for the Equestrian Lifestyle
In the October Issue of Dressage Today, Kristianna Lindgren, CTF's Land Conservation Assistant Director, stressed the importance of loss of land for horses and horse-related activities in a letter to the editor. Her letter reviewed the value of conservation easements, and the end of 2011 deadline for receiving tax benefits.
She notes, "There are monetary benefits to donating a conservation easement on one’s land, in particular, there are significant federal income tax benefits in place as well, and there may be state property and income tax benefits depending on the state."
Read the whole letter to learn more...
A Warming Planet Struggles to Feed Itself
By JUSTIN GILLIS Published: June 4, 2011
CIUDAD OBREGÓN, Mexico — The dun wheat field spreading out at Ravi P. Singh’s feet offered a possible clue to human destiny. Baked by a desert sun and deliberately starved of water, the plants were parched and nearly dead.
Dr. Singh, a wheat breeder, grabbed seed heads that should have been plump with the staff of life. His practiced fingers found empty husks.
“You’re not going to feed the people with that,” he said.
But then, over in Plot 88, his eyes settled on a healthier plant, one that had managed to thrive in spite of the drought, producing plump kernels of wheat. “This is beautiful!” he shouted as wheat beards rustled in the wind. { read more... }
Florida's Black Bears
CTF Advisory Board Member Carlton Ward, Jr.’s photographs of black bears were featured in the May-June 2011 edition of the national Audubon Magazine.
The Post - CTF Newsletter, July 2012
The Conservation Trust for Florida is proud to offer its newsletter,The Post.
View The POST online in magazine format.
Download The POST for printing here.
Download or view previous issues of The Post here.
Information Documents
Conservation Easement Financial Incentives and Savings Worksheet
This handout (pdf) is for the purpose of estimating your potential tax savings. (The Conservation Trust for Florida does not warrant that any landowner will receive a deduction, nor are we providing legal or tax advice. CTF encourages you to consult with your appropriate tax and/or legal advisors.)
Another helpful tool is Maryland's On-line Easement Calculator. Although it is from 2006, and does not address Florida's property tax incentives, it can provide examples of potential deducations.
Protecting Florida's Ranchlands Brochure
The Conservation Trust for Florida prepared this booklet to explore the natural, cultural and economic value of ranchlands, as well as provide practical information on conservation easements and other land conservation options. The brochure also details ranchlands history and extensive information on tax benefits.
Download the 12-page pdf | View on-line magazine.
Report on Educational Activities in Barr Hammock 2009 - 2010
The Conservation Trust for Florida's report on the educational field trips to the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve. The report summarizes the activities from May 2009 - May 2010. It provides a summary of the environmental, historical, and educational programs that were led by trained ecologists, historians, ornithologists, and biologists to the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve. View Report.
Report on Educational Activities in Barr Hammock 2008 - 2009
The Conservation Trust for Florida's report on the educational field trips to the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve. The report summarizes the activities from May 2008 - May 2009. It provides a summary of the environmental, historical, and educational programs that were led by trained ecologists, historians, ornithologists, and biologists to the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve. View Report.
Report on Educational Activities in Barr Hammock 2007 - 2008
The Conservation Trust for Florida's report on the educational field trips to the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve. The report summarizes the activities from May 2007 - May 2008. It provides a summary of the environmental, historical, and educational programs that were led by trained ecologists, historians, ornithologists, and biologists to the Barr Hammock - Ledwith Prairie Preserve.
Movies and Video
Cracker, The Last Cowboys of Florida
Ellen Huntley Dube, our Land Conservation Outreach and Education Director was featured in "Cracker, The Last Cowboys of Florida," a documentary by Victor Milt.
When CTF was approached to expand the multi-award winning movie, "Cowboys of Florida" to feature length - well, we jumped at the chance. Because there was so much more to say - so many stories to tell - and most of all, to try and save the ranches of Florida, themselves.
Little did we know that this movie would become the standard bearer for saving not only the Florida prairie, but wilderness and farmland around the world.
"Cracker" not only explores every aspect of cowboy life - from prairie to rodeo to small town existence - it also confronts the crisis of the "urbanization" of the prairie and attendant loss of wilderness areas. But it not only presents the problems - it offers solutions - ones that have worked.
If you care about ranching or the last remaining wilderness in southeastern USA, you must own this movie.
For more information on the movie click here: http://victormilt.com/store/page2.html
View this inspiring and informative video by Former Florida Governor Buddy MacKay, who is also a member of CTF's Advisory Board. He talks about the importance of protecting wildlife corridors and protecting land for conservation. Video is by the University of Florida, IFAS as part of the Springs Protection Workshop in May 2012 (11 minutes).
