Protect Your Land. Preserve Walloon.
By Jon Breithaupt, Executive Director
Land protection is one of the most lasting ways we can care for Walloon Lake and its watershed. Every acre conserved today can help ensure that forests, wetlands, shorelines, wildlife habitat, scenic views, and clean water remain protected for generations to come.
For many landowners, protecting a property is about more than what happens to the land itself. It is about deciding what kind of legacy you want to leave behind. At WLAC, we work with landowners to explore conservation options that can meet their personal goals while advancing the long-term health of the Walloon Lake watershed.
Options for Protecting Your Land
Donate land for a nature preserve.
Landowners may donate all or part of their property to WLAC to be permanently protected as a nature preserve. Depending on the property and its conservation significance, donated land may become part of WLAC’s network of protected natural areas. A land donation may also provide significant tax benefits, depending on individual circumstances.
Sell your land at fair market value.
If you would like to sell your property while also ensuring that it is permanently protected, WLAC may be able to purchase conservation properties at fair market value, subject to available funding and the property’s conservation value. This can provide the financial benefit of a traditional sale while protecting an important property from future development.
Consider a bargain sale.
A bargain sale combines a sale with a charitable gift. A landowner may sell property to WLAC for less than its fair market value, with the difference potentially qualifying as a charitable contribution. For example, if a property is appraised at $1 million and sold to WLAC for $700,000, the $300,000 difference may qualify as a charitable gift, subject to applicable tax rules. This can be a flexible way to unlock some of a property’s value while making a meaningful investment in the future of the watershed.
Donate a conservation easement.
A conservation easement allows landowners to retain ownership while permanently protecting important conservation values. Through a voluntary legal agreement, certain future development and uses are limited, while the landowner and future owners continue to own, live on, and enjoy the property. Depending on the circumstances, donating a conservation easement may also provide tax benefits.
Leave a legacy through a planned gift.
Land can also be included in an estate plan. A bequest of property to WLAC allows you to continue owning and enjoying your land during your lifetime while providing for its conservation after your lifetime. Depending on the circumstances and the conservation value of the property, a planned gift of land may provide tax benefits to your estate while protecting an important part of the Walloon Lake watershed for future generations.
Why Protect Land in the Walloon Lake Watershed?
Protecting land is an investment in the health and character of the entire Walloon Lake watershed. Forests, wetlands, undeveloped shorelines, and other natural areas provide important benefits to both people and wildlife.
Conserved lands can help protect water quality by reducing development, stormwater runoff, erosion, and nutrient pollution. Forests filter water, stabilize soils, store carbon, and provide habitat. Wetlands absorb and slow stormwater while helping filter pollutants before they reach Walloon Lake.
Land protection also preserves the scenic character that makes the Walloon Lake area special. Conserved natural areas provide habitat and connected corridors for wildlife, protect shoreline and watershed resources, and preserve opportunities for future generations to experience and appreciate the landscape we value today.
Every acre of conserved land contributes to a healthier, more resilient Walloon Lake watershed.
Start the Conversation Today
Land protection decisions often take time. There may be opportunities to consider, questions to answer, family members and advisors to involve, and different conservation approaches to evaluate. You do not need to have all the answers before reaching out.
If you are curious about protecting your property, I encourage you to contact our staff today and start the conversation. An initial conversation is simply an opportunity to learn more about your options, share your goals, and determine whether there may be a conservation solution that is right for you and your property.
Whether you are considering a donation, sale, bargain sale, conservation easement, or planned gift, we would be glad to talk with you confidentially and help you understand the possibilities.
Protecting your land may be one of the most meaningful ways you can help preserve Walloon for generations to come.
Your land. Your legacy. Walloon’s future.
Land protection decisions can have significant financial, legal, and tax implications. WLAC encourages landowners to consult their own attorney, tax advisor, financial advisor, and other qualified professionals before making a decision.