The Forever Land Trust was formed to preserve and protect wildlife habitat forever. The Forever Land Trust builds on the more than 35 years of strength and experience of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's chapters, team and volunteers to become a leader in permanent wildlife habitat preservation. The Forever Land Trust protects habitat by helping passionate donors who want to leave a legacy for future generations, through fee-title acquisition, by establishing conservation easements, and by establishing long-term conservation stewardship support. The Trust ensures the protection of critical and unique habitats for pheasants, quail and other wildlife.
Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever is aggressively looking to partner with landowners who are interested in protecting their wildlife habitat for future generations. We gladly accept donations of real estate, and when a property has strategic significance to the Pheasants Forever Inc. and Quail Forever mission, we will work with the landowner to develop a customized habitat protection partnership for the property which ensures it
“Makes a Lasting Impact."
In many cases, contributions to The Forever Land Trust 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 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.
DONATING TO THE FOREVER LAND TRUST
Working to ensure forever takes careful planning, as well as 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 legacy.
Gifts of Real Estate
The Forever Land Trust accepts gifts of land and property. When a donation of land with strategic wildlife significance is made, gifts of real estate may be retained by the Trust and managed to protect the wildlife habitat for future generations. In some cases, gifts of real estate will be liquidated and the proceeds from the sale are allocated toward the Trust or a 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 projects are not turned down due to a lack of financial resources in the Stewardship Fund.
Planned giving
A variety of options are available to donors planning for a future gift to Pheasants Forever. 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. 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.
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. 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.
MORE INFORMATION
David R. Bue
Vice President of Development
(218) 340-5519
Jordan L.K. Martincich
Director of Development
(816) 560-1070