The Forever Land Trust

Forever Land Trust Logo 200x256
A Pheasants Forever Company

The Forever Land Trust was formed for one simple goal - to preserve and protect habitat...forever. As the real estate ownership division of Pheasants Forever, The Forever Land Trust builds upon over 25 years of strength and experience by Pheasants Forever's chapters, staff, and volunteers to become a leader in permanent wildlife habitat preservation. Through donations of property, fee-title acquisition, conservation easements, and long-term conservation stewardship, the Trust ensures protection for critical and unique habitats for pheasants, quail, and other wildlife.

Pheasants Forever is aggressively looking to partner with landowners to identify opportunities to acquire and accept donations of property. Those properties that are significantly valuable to our habitat conservation mission may be held and managed by Pheasants Forever or our land-ownership organization, The Forever Land Trust. In many cases, these contributions may also provide significant tax benefits for donors. Perhaps you or someone you know would be interested in leaving a legacy in this manner. If so, please read further.

How do we conserve habitat? | Donating to the Forever Land Trust | Where can I find more information?

Conservation Easement Q & A

HOW WE CONSERVE HABITAT

The Forever Land Trust is focused on permanent wildlife habitat conservation. Most of the Trust's work is through donations of property, fee-title acquisition or conservation easements.

Fee-title Acquisition

Often the best way to ensure permanent resource protection is to control the land where those resources are found. When unique and/or critical habitat is identified, the Trust may decide to accept donations of property and/or acquire and hold the land for protection of the resources. Habitats owned by The Forever Land Trust will be managed by the Trust and our partners for the best interest of wildlife.

Conservation Easements

Conservation easements are one of the many tools available for donors looking to retain ownership of the land for themselves and their heirs, yet to ensure permanent protection of the habitat for future generations.

In establishing a conservation easement, the donor and the Trust determine which resources need protected and develop a long-term plan to provide the protection. The donor assigns certain rights to the Trust and agrees to manage the property according to a conservation plan. The land remains owned and controlled, according to the conservation plan, by the donor. The easement runs with title to the property and remains in effect when the property is sold or transferred to the donor's heirs. In return, the Trust agrees to protect and defend the property's resources from any activity not consistent with the easement. Once a conservation easement has been accepted, the Trust's commitment remains intact forever.

Some examples of common conservation easements include:

Rural protection: The rights to subdivide and build structures on the property are transferred to the Trust. The landowner continues to farm and/or graze the property
Native cover: All rights that would allow destruction of the native cover - including plowing, cropping, draining wetlands, and cutting trees - are transferred to the Trust. Depending on the terms of the easement, the landowner may continue to graze and/or hay the native cover.
Permanent wildlife habitat: All rights to alter the habitat - including plowing, cropping, draining, cutting trees, grazing, haying, mowing, and burning - are transferred to the Trust. No habitat alterations are allowed on the property without prior consent of the Trust.

Hunting and access rights may be retained by the landowner or may be donated to the Trust, depending on the resource protection needs and the donor's wishes.

Each conservation easement is unique and is structured by the donor and the Trust to protect specific resources. There is no one-size-fits-all type of conservation easement. What fits one property might not work for another. Negotiation and a mutual understanding of the owner's wishes and the holder's resource needs will determine which restrictions are warranted, needed, and appropriate.

DONATING TO THE FOREVER LAND TRUST

Working to ensure Forever takes careful planning and partnership with private and public partners. Whether you are looking to make your contribution now, or are planning for a future gift, The Forever Land Trust has a vehicle to help you leave your Forever Legacy.

Gifts of Real Estate

The Forever Land Trust accepts gifts of land and property. When appropriate and of strategic wildlife significance, gifts of real estate will be retained by the Trust and managed as permanent wildlife habitat. In many cases, gifts of real estate are liquidated and the proceeds of the sale are used toward a strategic Trust or Pheasants Forever initiative. We work very closely with donors to determine a mutually beneficial partnership, while also ensuring a lasting legacy.

Forever Stewardship Fund

The Forever Stewardship Fund provides continued financial support for long-term expenses associated with Trust projects. Your donation to the Fund will ensure the Trust's long-term viability and will help to make sure no project is turned down due to a lack of financial support in the Stewardship Fund.

Planned giving

A variety of options are available to donors planning for a future gift to The Trust. Donors planning for future gifts through their estate will automatically become members of the Habitat Legacy Society. More information about the different options for planned giving and the Habitat Legacy Society are available on our website at www.pheasantsforever.org/legacy. You can also contact PF's Vice President of Development, David R. Bue, at 218-340-5519 or by e-mail at dbue@pheasantsforever.org.

Tax Benefits

Donations of cash, real estate, or conservation easements to The Forever Land Trust may result in significant tax benefits to the donor. Consult your tax advisor for specific information as it relates to you. For more information about how you can make a significant gift to Pheasants Forever, contact PF's Vice President of Development, David R. Bue, at 218-340-5519 or by e-mail at dbue@pheasantsforever.org.

MORE INFORMATION

Ron Leathers
Director of Public Finance
Direct: (651) 209-4919
Toll-Free: (877) 773-2070
Fax: (651) 773-5500
rleathers@pheasantsforever.org

David R. Bue
Vice President of Development
Phone: (218) 340-5519
Fax: (218) 834-4473
dbue@pheasantsforever.org

Find a PF Chapter

PF eNewsletter, On the Wing

Pheasants Forever's monthly eNewsletter, On the Wing, bringing upland bird articles, recipes and stories directly to your inbox! Subscribe today to get the next edition.