Sometimes properties with special features become available for sale, or a landowner makes the decision to donate their property for conservation. NPC works to secure the financial backing needed to purchase property, or facilitates donation of the property for conservation. Generally, in instances in which NPC takes title to a property, we arrange for the transfer of the property to public ownership. However, sometimes properties donated to NPC are sold with a conservation easement. In these instances the landowner making the donation is consulted and aware that NPC will not hold title to the property long-term.
Property Donation
If a landowner wants to ensure that a property is protected forever, but does not wish to pass it on to heirs or has substantial real estate holdings and wishes to reduce estate tax burdens, then a donation of land to NPC might be the best option. A donation of land may provide income tax deductions.
Property with conservation value may be sold, subject to a conservation easement, to an individual or public agency.
NPC may accept the donation of a property where the landowner retains possession and use of a property for their own lifetime and/or the lifetime of other members of their family.
Ownership Transfer to a Public Organization
NPC has worked on many projects where a landowner wanted to sell a property and a public organization (township or state) was interested
in owning the property. Sometimes, NPC simply has to get the landowner in contact with the appropriate person. However, in many situations, NPC needs to act as an interim owner, and actually take title to the property. This may be because the property is being sold at auction, there are boundary issues that need to be resolved, or the property being sold needs be sub-divided from the main parcel.
NPC’s first step with any of these projects is determining who the final owner will be and getting a commitment from that eventual owner. Once that is in place, NPC staff can begin the process of working with the current landowner to purchase the property.
If you are interested in pursuing this option, please talk to NPC staff about the property and who you envision as the future owner of the property.
