conservationtools.org

[Updated Library Item] Purchase Options: Gaining the Right Without the Obligation to Acquire Property Interests

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:56:56 GMT

A purchase option is a right to purchase or lease land or other property interests without any obligation to do so. 15 pages. Print version of the ConservationTools.org guide.

[Updated Expert] Andrew M. Loza

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:50:27 GMT

All kinds of stuff

[Updated Expert] Verlin Renner

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:06:48 GMT

Verlin joined the staff of the Berks Conservancy in 2002 as Director of Real Estate. He has 35 years experience in managing real estate in the private sector.

[Updated Tool] Steep Slope Ordinance

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:59:55 GMT

Zoning regulations for development on and disturbance of steep slopes can prevent erosion and reduce the risk of landslides that endanger lives, damage property and infrastructure, harm water quality, and degrade wildlife habitat. These regulations can also preserve the aesthetic character of visually prominent hillsides by discouraging vegetative clearing and excessive earthwork to accommodate development.

[New Expert] George Elser, Esq.

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:13:31 GMT

George Elser represents individuals, families, small businesses and non-profit organizations. Land Conservation – I represent people who want to preserve their land by using conservation easements, agricultural easements, or by selling to a conservation buyer. I also represent people who want to purchase land that is already preserved or they wish to preserve. Real Estate - I represent clients as they buy and sell residential and commercial real estate. In addition, I work with landlords and tenants handling commercial and residential leases.

[New Expert] Suzanne Friday, Esq.

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:58:48 GMT

Suzanne Friday leads the firm’s Tax, Trusts and Estates practice group. In addition to representing individuals, corporations, partnerships and LLC’s in business and transactional matters, she assists clients with sophisticated tax and estate planning and often advises small business owners on succession planning as well as wealth and asset preservation. Suzanne is often retained to advise trustees and executors regarding the administration of trusts and estates. Suzanne is currently solicitor to a local tax collection bureau.

[New Expert] Terry Clemons, Esq.

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:55:01 GMT

Terry counts among his municipal clients Wrightstown Township, Milford Township, and Springfield Township. He is also Special Counsel to Solebury Township, and Lower Saucon Township regarding open space matters. He also represents private property owners concerning preservation matters, including the sale of conservation easements to Bucks County and other municipal entities as well as securing charitable deductions for contributions of open space interests in real estate. In addition to the individual municipalities Terry represents, he is counsel to the Bucks County Association of Township Officials.

[New Expert] Jonathan Reiss, Esq.

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:37:52 GMT

Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and raised in Lake Placid, NY, Jonathan has provided legal services in Pennsylvania and New York since 1983. The majority of Jonathan’s practice is focused on representing local governments, municipal authorities, planning commissions, and zoning hearing boards in Bucks County and throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Jonathan also practices in all areas of real estate law such as sales, acquisitions, community and condominium associations, leases, land preservation, and real estate litigation. Jonathan is able to recommend a course of action to achieve his clients’ objectives in the most efficient manner.

[Updated Library Item] 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:16:20 GMT

In 2011, amongst U.S. residents ages 16 and older, 90.1 million people participated in at least one wildlife related recreation activity: 33.1 million fished, 13.7 million hunted, and 71.8 million participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity. Of 6-to-15-year-olds, 1.8 million hunted, 8.5 million fished, and 11.7 million wildlife watched. Together these individuals spent $122.3 billion on their activities, which equated to 1 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product.

[Updated Expert] Peter Nelson

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:30:44 GMT

Legal services concerning: negotiation, drafting, execution, recordation, and enforcement of conservation easements; general land use issues, including zoning, subdivision, land development, stormwater management, and natural resource protection; ordinance and regulation drafting; representation before municipalites, zoning hearing boards, Commonwealth agencies, and Federal agencies; litigation and enforcement; boundary disputes and other real estate litigation; general legal representation.

[Updated Library Item] Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: A Guide

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:48:43 GMT

print version of the ConservationTools.org guide: The conservation of natural lands and of working farms and forests can generate financial returns, both to governments and individuals, and create significant cost savings. 34 pages

[New Library Item] 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:00:09 GMT

[Updated Tool] Economic Benefits of Land Conservation

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:53:11 GMT

The conservation of natural lands and of working farms and forests can generate financial returns, both to governments and individuals, and create significant cost savings.

[New Library Item] Keeping Track: A Guide to Recordkeeping for Advocacy Charities

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:29:29 GMT

This guide is designed to help the staff, officers, and board members of 501(c)(3) public charities that engage in lobbying understand how to prepare and maintain the records that are required to comply with federal tax law—the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”)—by tracking their lobbying activities and reporting those activities to the IRS

[New Library Item] Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age: The Law of Online Lobbying and Election-related Activities

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:17:41 GMT

This guide aims to answer the questions nonprofit managers most frequently face regarding the Internet and social media in terms of lobbying and involvement in political campaigns.

[Updated Library Item] Act 88 of 2010 (amends Clean & Green)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:44:52 GMT

Under Act 88, land subject to preferential assessment under PA Clean and Green may be used for exploration for, and removal of, gas and oil. Roll-back taxes will be imposed upon only those portions of land actually devoted to these activities, excluding land devoted to subsurface transmission or gathering lines. Act 88 also allows for the development and use of Tier I alternative energy on any land use category of Clean and Green to be kept under preferential assessment as long as more than half of the energy annually generated is used on the tract of land.

[Updated Library Item] Act 8 of 2011 (private transfer fees)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:44:10 GMT

Pennsylvania’s Act 8 of 2011 (House Bill 442) prohibits private transfer fees but provides exceptions for fees payable to nonprofit corporations in association with conservation easements as well as for fees payable to governments.

[Updated Library Item] Act 109 of 2010 (amends Clean & Green)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:20:34 GMT

Act 109 of 2010 (HB 1394) allows landowners who participate in Pennsylvania's Clean and Green program to use their land for commercial wind production where more than half of the produced energy is sold and used off of the tract of land. The portions of the land used for wind production are subject to rollback taxes.

[Updated Library Item] Watershed Associates negotiations blog

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:25:08 GMT

Watershed Associates is a team of negotiation experts who provide training and consulting on negotiation. Their web page includes a negotiations blog and a resources section, with a recommended reading list and several articles on the art of negotiation and why one should negotiate.

[Updated Library Item] Water Quality Improvement Easement & Commentary: A Model Document and Guidance

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:23:30 GMT

Secures long-term access through and to property for the purpose of remediating the effects of abandoned mine drainage.