Success Stories from New Mexico
Scott Wilber, Director of Conservation New Mexico Land Conservancy

Excerpt from Program:
"This workshop will begin with a presentation of conservation easement case studies on farm and ranchlands from California and New Mexico with a discussion of the motivations of the landowners to do the easements, the types of easements the landowners chose, the funding sources and requirements for completing the easements, and the benefits of these projects to the public. Participants will then receive a general overview of conservation easements, including: the tax benefits associated with conservation easement donations, the IRS eligibility criteria for federal tax deductions, and the process for completing a conservation easement transaction. Finally, participants will learn about different funding sources for purchasing conservation easements and covering the transactional and stewardship costs associated with completing donated conservation easements. Time for questions and answers will be allocated at the end of the workshop."

Presentation Outline:

• New Mexico Land Conservancy
• The Changing Rocky Mountain West
• Keeping New Mexico the Land of Enchantment
• What is a Land Trust?
• What is a Conservation Easement?
• What are the Benefits of a Conservation Easement to a Landowner?
• What are the Benefits of a Conservation Easement to the Public?
• There are Two Givens in Life: Death and Taxes
• To Qualify for Federal and State Tax Benefits
• Conservation Easements that Do Not Qualify for Federal and State Tax Benefits
• How is the Value of a Conservation Easement Determined?
• Basic Steps for Completing a Conservation Easement
• Considering the Options
• Types of Conservation Easements
• Sources of Funding for Conservation Easements
• Conclusion