Conserve

Land Conservation

With a growth rate two times that of the metro Atlanta area, it is crucial that Sandy Springs implements practices to protect our precious natural resources. Conservation efforts help keep our air and water clean, provide livable habitats for wildlife in the area, and ensure healthy soil to promote biodiversity within our city. Conservancy is not just important for the environment, but for people too! The Sandy Springs Conservancy sponsors programs that promote natural resource protection and sustainability in the form of educational, technical, and financial assistance.

Although The Sandy Springs Conservancy does not own or manage land, we want to encourage citizens to do more to conserve, even increase, the amount of greenspace in our community. We encourage land protection through a variety of tools, from conservation easements to land trusts. Several organizations, listed below, can help you find the tool that best matches your goals. We encourage you to work with qualified experts to maximize your tax benefits while helping the environment!

Land Conservation Tools

Conservation Easements

Refer to A Landowners Guide – “Conservation Easements for Natural Resource Protection,” available from the Georgia Land Trust Service Center

Bargain Sale of Land

To a land trust or local government—can conserve important land while yielding a blend of revenue and tax benefits for you!

Land Donation

To a public entity, such as a local government, or to a non-profit organization, such as a land trust

Civic Involvement

Support groups (like those listed below) that take the long view of our greenspace needs by working to ensure public policies support conservation.

Organizations That Support Conservation

Land Trust Alliance

202-638-4725 or http://www.landtrustalliance.org

This national organization advocates for policies and incentives to preserve land. They work to train those who work in conservation and back up land trusts when the places they promise to protect are threatened.

The Trust for Public Land

404-873-7306 or http://www.tpl.org

This national organization helps communities to assemble land for people to enjoy as parks and natural areas. The Georgia office often works with landowners in strategic land acquisitions, like near the Chattahoochee River.