• The West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) is a non-profit tax-exempt organization, West Virginia's only state-wide land trust.
• WVLT protects land with natural, scenic, recreational, historic or productive value - permanently. It accepts land donations, purchases land, or obtains conservation easements.
• WVLT is a membership organization supported by individual, corporate and business donations, and by foundation grants.
• WVLT is a sponsor member of the Land Trust Alliance.
• Call WVLT at (304) 346-7788 for more information.

What exactly is a Conservation Easement?

• Conservation easements are legal agreements between a landowner and a land trust.
• Conservation easements are flexible land protection tools. They can permanently limit some uses of land to protect its conservation value. The landowner and WVLT custom design the restrictions, which may include a variety of uses on all or part of the land.
• Conservation easements allow property owners to own their land, sell their land or pass it on to heirs. WVLT guarantees the landowners terms are carried out by future owners.
• Funds are needed to cover the costs of future stewardship. When a landowner donates these funds, income tax deductions and reduced property and estate taxes may offset the costs.

What are the benefits of Donating Land or Conservation Easements?

• Valuable land is forever protected from degrading use; it will remain a treasured legacy for future generations.
• Land is left in private ownership; it can be used, sold or passed on to heirs.
• Donations that meet IRS requirements are treated as charitable gifts and may be deducted from income tax.