There is an exciting new opportunity for Conservation in the Texas Hill Country. The Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative (HCHCI) is seeking voluntary partnerships with landowners to protect land in a 19-county region. This Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) receives grant funding for the purchase of conservation easements from NRCS.
What are Conservation Easements?
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement to limit certain development rights. This agreement is between a landowner and a conservation organization, like a land trust. Each easement is tailored to the property and landowner’s interests, allowing protection of wildlife habitat and other conservation values, while maintaining property rights. In exchange for limiting development rights, the landowner may receive funding, a tax deduction, and benefits related to estate planning.
What You Should Know
The HCHCI received $20.8 million to purchase conservation easements.
It can fund up to 50% of the value of a conservation easement; the HCHCI money can also be combined with other funding, or the landowner can take a the remaining 50% as a charitable deduction on their income taxes.
Good candidates for this funding are properties with:
- a water feature (stream, recharge feature etc),
- ample open space,
- and a landowner who is interested in keeping the property in the same condition or better.
- The amount of acreage required varies by property.
What are Next Steps?
If you need help conserving your land, Braun & Gresham can guide you through this process. Give us a call if you think your property may qualify for this opportunity or to find out more information.
We will assist you in:
- understanding the process,
- selecting the right land trust,
- developing a strategic plan for funding,
- and navigating complicated negotiations and tax consequences.
More about these events and the funding program can be found here: https://hillcountryconservancy.org/land-projects/land-projects-hchci/.
Important dates you need to know:
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
September 20 – Call for pre-applications
October 11 – pre-applications due
INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOPS:
September 20 in Fredericksburg: https://givepul.se/04aopu
September 27 in New Braunfels: https://givepul.se/jdbxax
Please contact Natalie Cavellier at Braun and Gresham, for more information.