Learn More About Conservation Easements at Local Briefing

Bacon Ridge conservation area in Crownsville. Photo photo courtesy Anne Arundel County.

The Capital’s environmental reporter Pam Woods has a story on the Scenic Rivers Land Trust’s (SRLT) 50th conservation easement. This is a significant milestone for the 24-year-old group. This 50th property sits along the Patuxent River in South County.

A conservation easement, or land preservation easement, prevents a property from being developed—ever. For the land owner, there are tax and other legal benefits. In addition, landowners maintain ownership of the property. In exchange, the SRLT along with county government will ensure that the property is never available for development. If the property is sold, the conservation easement conveys.

If you’d like to learn more about conservation easements and the tax and legal benefits, the SRLT will be hosting a breakfast at South River Colony’s Bistro at the Golf Club from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on April 26. The session costs $45 per person.

At the breakfast, attendess can learn about important conservation tools to meet land management goals and offer significant property and income tax benefits. The SRLT is also celebrating saving lands—over 2,200 acres—in Anne Arundel County from 50 conservation easements.

The experts in attendance will include:

• Lex Birney, CEO of The Brick Companies, a real estate management firm in the Baltimore/Washington metro area.
• Rand Wentworth  is the president of the Land Trust Alliance, which has promoted voluntary private land conservation across America. At 8:40 a.m., Wentworth will give a national perspective on the easement industry and current tax law issues.
• Ben Wechsler is a partner at Linowes and Blocher, focusing in land use and environmental law as well as litigation. At 9 a.m. Wechsler will talk about the mechanics of conservation easements.
• Carter Heim, Certified Public Accountant, has offices in Annapolis and Alexandria, with an expertise in estate planning and taxation. Heim was appointed last year to the Chesapeake Bay Trust Board of Trustees by Gov. Martin O’Malley. At 9:30 a.m. Heim will discuss tax mechanics and the implications of easements.

Following the formal presentations, there will be a chance for interaction with the panel.

Pre-registration for the briefing is required by April 23rd. You can register here or send a check for $45 per person to SRLT, P.O. Box 2008, Annapolis, MD 21404. For questions or additional information, contact Rick Leader by email or phone: 410-310-6541.

Breakfast guests will have a special opportunity to play the South River Golf Course after the briefing for a discounted rate for 18- or 9-hole rounds. Contact Shelly Ford by email or phone 443-951-2025 for further information and to sign up.

The breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. on April 26 at the Bistro at the Golf Club at South River, 3451 Solomon’s Island Road in Edgewater. The cost is $45 per person.