South Hero Land Trust FAQs

South Hero Land Trust

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South Hero Land Trust
P.O. Box 455
South Hero, VT
05486
(802)372-3786
Fax (802)372-3753

info@shlt.org

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FAQs

	Where is South Hero, Vermont? South Hero is located on a series of islands in northern Lake Champlain, between New York’s Adirondack Mountains and the Green Mountains of Vermont. A causeway connects the islands to Vermont, while New York State can be accessed via ferry. For more information see Map and About South Hero.
	What is the South Hero Land Trust? The South Hero Land Trust is a 501(c)3 non-profit land conservation organization, supported by membership and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.Working with willing landowners, the South Hero Land Trust acts as a facilitator between local landowners and larger easement-holding land trusts and state agencies. Our work includes fundraising, project planning, and easement drafting as well as thel ocal landowner relations. In addition to project work, SHLT hosts a number of community events and sponsors several volunteer-driven initiatives. To learn more, visit our “About South Hero Land Trust” and “Community Programs” pages. About South Hero Land Trust. (Previous Page)
	What kind of land does the South Hero Land Trust conserve? South Hero Land Trust protects farmland, woodland, natural and recreational areas, and other open spaces which help give South Hero its distinctive quality of life. South Hero Land Trust primarily deals with large tracts of agricultural land and woodlands (usually 50 acres or more). We also conserve recreational lands, scenic lands, and important wildlife habitat. Additionally, SHLT can play a role in conserving land that the town deems important for municipal purposes.
	How does the South Hero Land Trust conserve land? The most frequently used tool for conserving land is called a conservation easement (see below). South Hero Land Trust is a non-holding, non-acquiring land trust. In other words, rather than holding easements or title to land we partner with regional and statewide organizations who will ensure that the conservation value of the property is maintained in perpetuity. In most cases land is conserved when a landowner voluntarily sells or donates a conservation easement to a holding land trust or state agency. In the case of the Landon Farm and Round Pond project, SHLT and its project partners purchased the property and donated a portion of the land to the State of Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources to become Round Pond State Park. The Landon Farm portion was conserved and sold to a farming couple who were selected through a Request For Proposals (RFP) process.. (Previous Page)
	What is a conservation easement? A conservation easement is a legal document that permanently restricts the development potential of property that has significant natural or cultural value. With a conservation easement, landowners protect their land without giving up ownership and can continue to use the land for farming, forestry, recreation, education, and other non-development purposes. The easement runs with the land; the original owner and all subsequent owners are bound by the restrictions of the easement. Conservation easements are flexible by nature; they can be designed to provide for future family housing needs, farm expansion, and in some cases, even limited sub-divisibility, as long as the natural resource values are protected. (Previous Page)
	How is the South Hero Land Trust funded? Our most important source of funding is our membership. Though we obtain funding from the state and from private foundations, continued funding from these sources depends on our local support from members. In other words, our membership and local support determine our capability to conserve land in South Hero. The ability to compensate land owners at a fair market rate for their development rights is a goal of the land trust which can only be achieved through local funding from dedicated supporters. Because we work in partnership with other Land Trusts, South Hero Land Trust is able to substantially leverage any funds raised locally.
	Does the South Hero Land Trust accept gifts of stock? The South Hero Land Trust has a Land Preservation Fund specifically set up to enable our supporters to donate appreciated stocks and securities. The Land Preservation Fund is an extremely valuable tool for the South Hero Land Trust. This fund directly supports our project work, so that individuals can support specific projects of their choice. It also enables South Hero Land Trust to act in a timely manner when confronted with priority conservation opportunities. .(Previous Page)

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