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Accessing Grants for Land Protection

Learn about funding opportunities and sources for your land protection projects, including municipal, state, federal, and private grants. Discover types of land conservation costs and key programs like Agricultural Preservation Restriction and Conservation Land Tax Credit. Join experts from various fields for insights and strategies in accessing grants and maximizing resources for conserving land.

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Accessing Grants for Land Protection

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  1. Accessing Grants for Land Protection MA Open Space Conference 2019 - Session 1, in Track 3 – Funding your Projects MA Open Space Conference 2019

  2. Session schedule • Introduction (Lee Halasz – TerraCorps/Kestrel Land Trust) • Land conservation cost types • Overview of some funding opportunities (with Melissa Cryan – MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) • Dave Ziomek (Town of Amherst) • Sarah LaValley (City of Northampton and Town of Bernardston) • Panel discussion/Question & Answer session • But first, who is in the room?

  3. Land conservation cost types • Land in fee/Conservation Restriction (CR) purchase. • Land survey. • Due diligence (appraisals, title work, environmental assessments, other legal costs). • Baseline Documentation Report (BDR)/Land Management Plan. • Stewardship fund and Defense fee. • Project management fee.

  4. Sources of Funds • Municipal • State • Federal • Private • Most sources have a competitive application process. • Many State sources require a current Open Space and Recreation Plan. • Many sources require matching funds.

  5. Municipal ‘Grant’ Community Preservation Act (CPA) • Municipality must vote to adopt CPA. • There must be a CR placed on any land purchased with CPA funds. • Requires a Community Preservation Plan. • The Community Preservation Coalition (CPC) supports municipalities.

  6. State Grants APR – Agricultural Preservation Restriction (Program) • MDAR – MA Department of Agriculture • At least five acres of land in agricultural production for the past two years, with suitable soils. • 20% local match required, but each of the following reduce the required local match by 5%: (1) having an Agricultural Commission, (2) being a Right to Farm Community, and (3) having a Development Application System which ensures that the APR status of a parcel is highlighted.

  7. State Grants EEA –MA Executive Office of Energy &Environmental Affairs CLTC – Conservation Land Tax Credit • A tax credit of 50% of the donated value of fee land or a CR, up to a maximum of $75,000 (50% of $150,000). • Land with a variety of natural values can qualify. • Usually a CR must be placed on the land. • The program has a limited amount of annual funding, and there is currently a waiting period.

  8. State Grants MVP – Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program • New, with much potential. • To increase municipal resilience to climate change. Division of Conservation Services (DCS) Land Conservation Grant Opportunities • Melissa Cryan will present, with a handout

  9. Federal ‘Grants’ Charitable gift – a donation to a 501(c)(3) organization, deductible through filing federal income taxes. Federal Conservation Tax Deduction • For donations of CRs, not donations of land in fee. • Up to 50% (100% for farmers) of annual income can be deducted, and the balance can be carried forward for 15 years.

  10. Federal Grants USFS Community Forests Grant • Requires fee acquisition of land (not the purchase of CRs), and provides 50% reimbursement up to a total of $350,000 (50% of $700,000). • Public access is required. • Municipalities, tribal governments and non-profits can be land owners. • Land must be actively managed with a community forest plan.

  11. Federal Grants US Forest Service Forest Legacy Program • $7M maximum, must be 2000 acres to be competitive. • Managed forests that provide a variety of benefits. RCPP – Regional Conservation Partnership Program • Through NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) within US Department of Agriculture (USDA). • Different RCPPs have different features and requirements. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) • To restore land that has been farmed back to its original wetland state. • USDA pays 100% of the permanent easement cost and 100% of restoration costs.

  12. Private ‘Grants’ • Private foundations. • Donors/community fundraising. • Kestrel hosts the Monica and Bob Leverett Forever-Wild Conservation Fund.

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