Donation of Land for Conservation

Bear Yuba Land Trust is honored to have received gifts of lands for conservation, on which in addition to habitat and open space protection, the donor specifically intended for the land to be made available for public access.  

Donating land for conservation is one of the finest legacies a person can leave to future generations. If you choose to donate your land, your Bear Yuba Land Trust can work with you to identify the best arrangement for you. 

Estate Planning

A landowner may donate their property subject to a reserved life estate, meaning that the landowner and other identified persons can continue to live on the donated property during their lifetimes. Similarly, a donation of fee title or a conservation easement via your Last Will and Testament lets you enjoy full lifetime use of the property while assuring that its conservation values will be protected for future generations. Careful estate planning can also reduce or eliminate the potentially devastating estate tax burdens faced by heirs.

Bargain Sale

In a bargain sale, you sell your land to BYLT for less than its fair market value. This not only makes it more affordable for the land trust, but offers several benefits to you: it provides cash, avoids some capital gains tax, and entitles you to a charitable income tax deduction based on the difference between the land’s fair market value and its sale price.

Tradelands

Bear Yuba Land Trust may accept properties which are not considered of high conservation value, yet would provide significant financial support to our work. The purpose of accepting these lands would be with the intent to resell them. The proceeds from these sales benefit additional land protection projects and other BYLT programs.