The Process of Donating Land: A Primer

Donating land for conservation purposes to Aspetuck Land Trust is a straightforward process with a set of sequential steps. These steps ensure clear communication between a potential donor and Aspetuck Land Trust. We have developed this primer to acquaint you with the process and to answer questions about the timeframe and costs.

First Step:  Contact Us
If you are considering donating land for conservation purposes, the first step is to contact our Land Protection Specialist, Adam Goodman, by phone: 845-249-9956 or by email: agoodman@aspetucklandtrust.org. If you would like to send a letter our address is: Aspetuck Land Trust, P.O. Box 444, Westport, CT 06881. This initial conversation will help to develop a common understanding of your goals and wishes and will establish a basis for exploring the various land donation methods most suitable to your situation.

When thinking about a gift of land to Aspetuck Land Trust, prospective donors should speak to their legal counsel, tax advisors and families about their personal circumstances. Aspetuck Land Trust does not give tax advice.

Initial Property Walk-Through
It is beneficial to both Aspetuck Land Trust and a potential donor to meet at the property and walk through it to determine mutual goals for the land. Aspetuck Land Trust has environmental science experts who can help to evaluate the conservation values and other unique features of the property. If the prospective donor is unavailable, Aspetuck Land Trust representatives, with the owner’s permission, will visit the property to do an initial assessment.

Aspetuck Land Trust Land Acquisitions Committee & Board of Directors Review
If there is initial agreement to proceed, the Land Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Directors and stewardship staff will visit the property together to determine if it fits strategically with Aspetuck Land Trust’s goals for conservation.  For example, Aspetuck Land Trust would take into consideration: proximity to other protected open space parcels or corridors, the size of the parcel, and conservation values. The Land Acquisitions Committee will then make a recommendation to the full Board.

The final determination to accept a donation of land requires a formal vote and approval by Aspetuck Land Trust Board of Directors.

Due Diligence
The next step is for Aspetuck Land Trust staff to begin the work of due diligence and obtaining property details, including ensuring a clear title to the property, conducting appropriate environmental  assessments, and determining a clear description of the bounds of the property through existing or new survey work.

For conservation easements, Aspetuck Land Trust prepares a Baseline Documentation Report (BDR) for the property, recording the condition of the land at the time of the easement, and its conservation values and public benefits, by means of maps, photographs, and other written reports. Copies of documents are kept by both the easement donor and Aspetuck Land Trust in their permanent records for future reference.

For outright land gifts, Aspetuck Land Trust prepares a property management plan which will be used to manage the land in the future.

Contractual Agreements Drafted
Aspetuck Land Trust then works with the land donor and advisors to define the terms of the gift of land or conservation easement, producing draft deeds for review by all parties.

Closing
When all of the terms have been satisfactorily agreed upon and a final deed is ready to be recorded, Aspetuck Land Trust will set up a closing with the donor, at which time the deed (and baseline documentation report if a conservation easement) is signed, notarized, and properly recorded with the Town Clerk.

Timeframe
The timing depends on availability of key documents and information, and the complexity of the transaction. The timeframe to complete this process is three months at a minimum. 

Costs
There are some costs associated with donating land or a conservation easement to Aspetuck Land Trust. Generally, the landowner would be expected to be responsible for the items needed for conveyance, including survey costs, legal and recording fees, due diligence fees such as a hazardous waste review, and title search.

When Aspetuck Land Trust accepts ownership of a property, it also undertakes a responsibility for the ongoing stewardship and maintenance of the property in perpetuity. Aspetuck Land Trust therefore asks that a donor contribute to its Stewardship Fund, to help the organization to meet its obligation of maintaining the land. Such a contribution may be tax-deductible to the donor.

Additional Resources
Additional resources for landowners considering donating or selling their land to a land trust can be found HERE at our friends at the Connecticut Land Conservation Council which provides technical assistance and support to land trusts throughout the state of Connecticut.