Kansas Land Trust
How to Get Involved
Many Options for Participation
Residents of the state and beyond-farmers, city dwellers, business
people, landowners, corporate leaders, public officials, and civic groups
alike-have a stake in the future of Kansas landscapes.
You can help the Kansas Land Trust preserve undeveloped prairies,
woods, farmland, and wetlands by joining the land trust and recruiting new
members; volunteering to develop educational activities and work on KLT
projects; making a financial or in-kind contribution; supporting the
Stewardship Fund to protect lands forever; donating land or conservation
easements to the land trust; considering KLT when planning your estate;
spreading the Kansas Land Trust's preservation message to owners of
undeveloped land.
By joining the Kansas Land Trust, you'll receive the quarterly
newsletter, Stewardship Notes, which will keep you informed of current
conservation activities and explain how to get involved. You will also
receive invitations to special KLT events such as wildflower walks.
The Kansas Land Trust depends on volunteers for many of its
conservation projects. Stay in touch with KLT and find an activity to suit
you or your organization.
KLT gratefully accepts contributions for the general fund and for
projects or properties of particular interest to donors. Also, any gift of
real estate-homes, farms, buildings, lots, or commercial property can
provide substantial support for KLT's ongoing land conservation efforts
while providing tax benefits to the donor.
While the landowner is responsible for upholding the restrictions of a
conservation easement, the Kansas Land Trust is legally responsible for
enforcement-and monitors each property regularly. The gift of an easement
must be accompanied by a contribution to KLT's Stewardship Fund. This will
ensure KLT's ability to meet the obligations to the donor and therefore
uphold the easement forever. People who do not own land can also help
significantly by contributing to the Stewardship Fund and thereby share in
the perpetual mission of this organization.
Perhaps the most important way to participate is to donate land or a
conservation easement to the Kansas Land Trust. Besides tax savings, the
greatest reward for most landowners is the knowledge that their lands'
special features will be protected permanently.
Create a "family legacy" by including the Kansas Land Trust in your
estate planning. Ensure that the next generations can enjoy the rich,
natural landscape you see today. A planned gift to KLT will reduce the tax
burden for your heirs and, after taxes, probably will not reduce the
amount they eventually receive, had you not made this charitable
contribution. Contact an estate planner or tax attorney for more
information.
Help spread KLT's preservation message. Permanently protected land
aids communities in planning for future growth and service needs. While
zoning and public ownership can accomplish some land use goals, the gift
of a conservation easement to the Kansas Land Trust enables the private
landowner to make a contribution to the community that will last forever.
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