Landowner Options
Being an accredited land trust, means that we adhere to the highest and best standards and practices throughout our organization, especially our lands program.
The Wolf River watershed contains 522,000 acres, of which Wolf River Conservancy has helped to protect roughly 4%, equaling more than 20,000 acres – primarily comprised of floodplain and wetland habitats. We are actively seeking willing landowners to protect more land along the Wolf River and major tributary creeks and adjacent to other conservation lands.
Landowners often have a deep connection to their land and are aware of the gifts undeveloped properties provide their communities: clear air, water, food, fiber, wildlife habitat aquifer recharge and scenic beauty. As a nationally accredited land trust, Wolf River Conservancy follows the highest standards and practices and is well equipped to help landowners develop a plan to protect their lands and leave a legacy for their families.
There are several options for landowners who are interested in protecting their land, including (but not limited to):
This option is for those interested in protecting the scenic, natural or wetland values of his/her property while still retaining ownership of your property.
There are potential tax incentives (click here to read document).
You must own property in one of the following counties in Tennessee: Shelby, Fayette, Hardeman, Tipton, Haywood; or in Mississippi: Desoto, Marshall, Benton, Tippah or Alcorn; and/or within the following watersheds: Wolf River, Coldwater River, Hatchie River, or Loosahatchie River.
There are instances where the Conservancy can purchase or accept a donation of a property. The Conservancy may purchase property in Shelby or Fayette Counties in TN (with few exceptions). Donation of property is accepted on a case-by-case scenario and can also occur in Benton County, MS. Ideally, properties that we acquire have Wolf River frontage or are adjacent to Conservancy-owned or State-owned property.
If you are looking to purchase a recreational property for agriculture production, timber management and/or private hunting, fishing or camping, you might consider a property and subsequently placing a conservation easement on it. This scenario protects your property in its natural state and may provide tax benefits to the landowner. Wolf River Conservancy also owns property available for purchase, though certain restrictions via a conservation easement or deed restriction will apply to protect the high conservation values of these properties.
You might currently own a property or be looking to purchase a conservation property. If so, we encourage you to consider donating the property to the Wolf River Conservancy through a Life Estate. This allows you the freedom to utilize the property as you wish in your lifetime and protects the conservation values for future generations.
If you are interested in learning more, or have questions about the land conservation process, please contact Ryan Hall, our Director of Land Conservation.
