Conservation Partners, LLC

2009 Mission Statement and Strategic Focus

Conservation Partners, LLC  (”Conservation Partners”) was established in 2002 to assist landowners who want to permanently protect the important conservation values of their land, including scenic beauty, wildlife habitat, historic integrity, water resources, and the land’s ability to provide a farming or forestry livelihood.

In 2009, Conservation Partners will further concentrate its resources on identifying landowners who truly care about protecting their land and its conservation values, helping those landowners understand the benefits of donating conservation easements, and assisting landowners and their professional advisors through each step of the easement donation process. To accomplish these goals, we have identified three specific areas in which our experienced staff can provide significant assistance:

• Education and Outreach: Conservation Partners will continue to provide conservation easement information to Virginia landowners and their advisors, and will expand efforts to seek out landowners whose lands have important conservation values and who are willing to protect their lands in perpetuity. 
• Consulting: At the invitation of an easement donor, Conservation Partners’ staff will work cooperatively with the easement holder and the donor’s attorney, appraiser, and tax advisor. Our staff will offer recommendations, based on our Quality Standards, for strengthening the documents to accomplish the donor’s and holder’s goals and result in quality land preservation tax credits.
• Processing and Credit Sales: Conservation Partners’ team of processing experts will manage and facilitate the complex process of collecting all documentation required by the Virginia Department of Taxation in connection with the registration of a land preservation tax credit. Special services include preparation of Department of Conservation and Recreation presentation materials when required. After registration, Conservation Partners will present the donor’s quality tax credit to a large market of purchasers and handle all sales and transfer logistics.

As always, Conservation Partners is distinguished by our practice of working closely with landowners and their advisors throughout the donation process, our ability to effectuate smooth transactions, and our comprehensive Quality Standards. By seeking out high-quality easements and consulting with easement donors, easement holders, attorneys, appraisers, and tax advisors, Conservation Partners helps to ensure that Virginia’s land preservation tax credit program continues to provide a high level of public benefit at a reasonable cost to the Commonwealth.