NEWS

State Income Tax Credit for Land Conservation

Starting late in 2011, for the first time ever, landowners who engage in conservation transactions with non-profit land trusts, towns or agencies can be eligible for a powerful new tax advantage—a refundable State income tax credit worth up to $50,000.  This should be exciting news for landowners.  While there have always been income tax deductions available for land gifts on a donor’s federal returns, there have never been any incentives on the State tax side.  Now there are both.

You do not need to reside in Massachusetts or even pay taxes here; so long as you own the land, and the land qualifies, you qualify.  Contact The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts at 508-362-2565 or click here for more information.

Wellfleet Annual Town Meeting - April 23rd

The Town Meeting approved Article 16 granting a Community Preservation Grant to the Town to acquire a Conservation Restriction (CR) to help WCT fund the acquisition of approximately 6 acres of conservation land from the Clover Family along Old County Road.   The Town Open Space Committee recommended that the Town acquire a CR from WCT for $100,000.   The land itself is wonderful pine/oak upland that extends from Old County Road to the old rail bed and then into the heart of the Cape Cod National Seashore and some great trails there. When the acquisition is completed, we will have trails near unspoiled habitat and then connecting to trails within the CCNS.

Acquisition Activity

On the acquisition side, we are completing the acquisition of the Walker Property along Coles Neck Road. We expect to close on this property at the end of April.  This eight acre property will have a small walking trail to overlook a hidden pond in Wellfleet and some beautiful red maple swamp.   WCT is applying for a State Conservation Partnership grant to assist with funding of this project.

Head of Duck Creek

A key event in 2011 was the purchase 1.2 acres of environmentally sensitive land at the head of Duck Creek, upstream of Uncle Tim's Bridge.    A Conservation Partnership Grant from the Commonwealth along with two other private grants plus your contributions made the acquisition of the property possible.    Click here to read more.

Other News

An important subject for us all is the question of who can go where along the seashore. Click here to read “A Summary of Property Law on Massachusetts Tidal Flats” by Bob Mangiaratti, an attorney with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane in Quincy.

Thank you for your membership renewals and contributions that allow us to fulfill our mission. Your tax-deductible support is essential for our success in being able to acquire and maintain properties that are important in maintaining the quality of life in our community.   Wellfleet Conservation Trust and the Town have a very effective private/public partnership through which we can leverage off of each other, so our treasury is critical. 

New online donations and membership renewals

We have added a new feature to our website.  You may now renew your membership or make a contribution by clicking on the Network for Good button on the header of each page of this website.  Of course, contributions by mail continue to be welcome. 

Photo taken from Route 6 looking downstream at Conservation Trust land along Blackfish Creek.

Click here to see more photos.

Wellfleet Conservation Trustees continue to progress our mission to conserve land and protect the resources entrusted to us.  We will publish news on this website about major activities as they occur and other news of interest.  We will of course continue to send our normal Newsletter in late spring and late fall.