Donated or bequeathed land that is appropriate to include as Wilderness Preserve property is held and maintained by the Wilderness Preserve. If a donor has specific wishes for the donated land, these wishes should be discussed with the Wilderness Preserve. Because the Wilderness Preserve is a non-profit organization, donated land may be deductible from federal income and estate taxes.

Purchasing land directly enables the Wilderness Preserve to ensure the continuation of unspoiled areas on the island. As critical properties become available and funding permits, these areas are acquired and protected consistent with wise land management, including educational, research, and public use. 

Conservation easements are cost effective ways of protecting land for special purposes, including scenic enjoyment, wildlife and watershed protection, and forest preservation. The easement places permanent limitations on use as determined by the landowner and the organization that will hold the easement. The easement becomes part of the title to the property. If IRS criteria are met, conservation easements are deductible as charitable contributions.

Consider Donating Your Land to MIWP

(From April 2019 Newsletter)
During the last two years, the Wilderness Preserve has been the recipient of three land donations totaling 123 acres. Two donations were from estate settlements and one was from a member who wanted to have their land protected from future development.

The MIWP is a federally registered 501c3 charitable land trust so all donations, including land, are 100% tax deductible for the donating party. The value of the donation can be determined by the appraised value that appears on your property tax statement or it can be valued and documented by a real estate professional with experience in land values on the island.

If you are settling an estate that contains your family’s favorite hiking/hunting land or you simply want to preserve your land from future development, please consider donating your land to the MIWP. We will pay all related closing costs. The title transfer can be completed in as little as two weeks without having to pay a commission to a real estate agent. Contact Tom Kromroy at 651-271-8533 to discuss the land donation process.