Among the most generous, effective and lasting gifts that can be made to the Lake Waramaug community and its environmental health are gifts of land and conservation easements. There are still undeveloped parcels of land on the lake and many more in the immediate vicinity and in locations throughout the watershed that may be critical to water quality due to their proximity to feeder streams.

Land within the watershed, when developed without a carefully researched environmental plan, can be seriously detrimental to lake water. This is due to the sheer volume of pollutants and nutrients introduced into the ground and also to the increased percentage of impervious surfaces (roofs, driveways, etc.) which can funnel unfiltered water more directly into the lake.   

You may wish to give a parcel of land outright to Lake Waramaug Conservancy. Or you may wish to retain ownership of your land and grant a conservation easement to our organization, effectively charging us with enforcing that easement and making sure the land is preserved as undeveloped land in perpetuity. Or, as some of your neighbors have done, you may wish to donate a parcel of land to a local land trust, then grant a conservation easement on that land to us.

Local land trust organizations you may contact include the Warren Land Trust, Kent Land Trust, Steep Rock Association in Washington and Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (formerly Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust, a regional land trust based in New Milford). A sample conservation easement, which can be customized to meet your specific concerns, can be provided to you upon request.

In brief, the fair market value of your donation is a tax deduction you may take. Normally the maximum is 30% of adjusted gross income, but this has been increased to 50% for gifts of conservation easements. If the tax benefits from a gift are not fully realized in the first year, the balance may "roll over" allowing normally another five years of tax deductions. This "roll over" period also has been increased to a total of 16 years for gifts of conservation easements.

Needless to say, prospective donors should consult their attorneys and financial advisors. Please contact us for any needed information.