Colorado Gulch Conservation Agreement
Wood River Land Trust is a local non-profit conservation organization that helps landowners and communities protect and restore rivers and streams, wildlife habitat, open spaces, farmland, and public access in the Wood River Valley and surrounding areas. Wood River Land Trust has successfully protected nearly 10,000 acres using methods such as voluntary conservation agreements, land donations, and bargain sales of land. The organization also conducts restoration projects along the Big Wood River and participates in the public planning process.
Voluntary Conservation Agreements
A voluntary conservation agreement (also known as a conservation easement) is a legal agreement between a landowner and Wood River Land Trust that defines and limits a property’s uses to protect the land’s unique natural resources, such as clean water, wildlife habitat, farmland, scenic views, and public access. When an individual enters into a conservation agreement, they give up some of the rights associated with owning land, such as development rights. These limitations remain attached to the land forever, and future owners are also bound by the agreement’s terms. While there are usually tax benefits that accrue to the landowner from a conservation agreement, protecting the land’s health is often its own reward.
Land Donations & Bargain Sales of Land
Upon receipt of a donation of land for conservation purposes and public benefit, Wood River Land Trust undertakes the responsibility of protecting, restoring, and maintaining the land’s health and scenic views in perpetuity. In a bargain land sale, a landowner sells property to the organization for less than its fair market value, which often leads to a tax benefit for the seller while simultaneously allowing Wood River Land Trust to purchase land that would otherwise be unaffordable. Land owned by Wood River Land Trust is maintained in a natural state and permanently protected, and it is usually open to the public.
Restoration Projects
Another approach Wood River Land Trust uses to protect local resources involves working in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies. Over the years, Wood River Land Trust has conducted a number of successful restoration projects along the Big Wood River to restore the health of the river and its floodplain, improve water quality, create and improve fish habitat, and increase safe public access to the river.
Public Planning
Growth in the Wood River Valley is rapid and ongoing. Wood River Land Trust staff provides professional expertise to assist communities in planning for growth to protect the health of local land, water, and wildlife habitat. To this end, Wood River Land Trust promotes incentive-based regulations and makes recommendations on local land use issues including river protection ordinances and development proposals that impact fish and wildlife habitat, our clean water, and natural areas.
Love of local land, waters, and wildlife motivates Wood River Land Trust’s work. Wood River Land Trust staff and board members feel lucky to live, work, and play in such a wonderful place and strive to share and protect these resources with all residents—human and wild alike—now and for generations to come. You can get involved in Wood River Land Trust’s conservation efforts, community events, or make a donation by calling 788-3947 or visiting The Wood River Land Trust. Donations to Wood River Land Trust are tax-deductible.
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