Will a Conservation Partner own the land?
No. To ensure that the habitat lands acquired and/or managed for conservation remain protected forever, all habitat land will be held in deed and title by The Habitat Trust for Wildlife or a successor nonprofit land trust.
Can I be assured that these habitat lands will be protected forever?
Yes. A legally binding “conservation easement” is placed on all habitat lands acquired by The Habitat Trust for Wildlife. The conservation easement is recorded with the deed and placed on file with the County Recorder’s office.
Will a Conservation Partner be required to pay any additional costs later?
No. Your contribution is one time only and lasts for ten (10) years. Additional donations are not required, but greatly appreciated. One month prior to the expiration of your Conservation Partnership, a notification will be sent to you. At that time you will have the option to renew your partnership or let it expire.
Can I be sued if someone were to get injured on the land?
No. The Habitat Trust for Wildlife is for all legal purposes the landowner. Our organization will have liability insurance coverage. You are not responsible or accountable for legal actions taken against or by The Habitat Trust for Wildlife and the Conservation Partners program.
Who is The Habitat Trust for Wildlife?
The Habitat Trust for Wildlife is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt (ID# 04-3637770) non-profit non-government conservation organization and land trust qualified to own and manage habitat lands. Incorporated and registered as a charity in the State of California, The Habitat Trust for Wildlife is also a supporting member of the national Land Trust Alliance.
Is my financial contribution to Conservation Partners tax deductible?
Donations to The Habitat Trust for Wildlife, including the program fee for Conservation Partner participation is a charitable contribution and should be tax deductible to the extent of the law. We recommend that you consult with a tax specialist who can advice you based on your personal or business’s income.
How does this program actually offset carbon impacts on the environment?
All habitats or vegetation contribute to the climate of the Earth. We believe, as scientists do, that the loss of mature and functioning habitats of ecosystems contribute to the Climate Crisis. Loss of habitat may actually be more of a contributor to Global Warming than individual energy consumption.
Is there a way that your organization can accurately calculate how many acres of habitat need to be conserved in order to offset a specific amount of energy consumption?
There is no way any organization can “accurately” do so, at this time. In our opinion, Carbon Calculators found on numerous websites are generally mere entertainment devices. It is possible for an individual or business to accurately calculate their electric energy use (per watt) and compare it to say, solar. In some cases, petrol use per gallon might be quantified taking in consideration numerous variables i.e. daily mileage, stop and go speed, motor oil consumption and exhaust testing. Therefore, accuracy is more difficult due to all the variables.
Can my participation in the program be used to mitigate negative environmental impacts of my business?
No. The habitat lands in the Conservation Partners Program are never to be used as a mitigation bank or to provide mitigation credits to a business or industry that is directly or indirectly harming the Earth, Climate or Ozone Layer. Nor may the program be used to “Green Wash” negative environmental impacts caused by a business or person. However, the Conservation Partners program may be used as an additionality or supplement to energy source point reduction, consumption or C emissions.
The benefit for a business, is one of demonstrating a ‘real’ participation in a CPP with The Habitat Trust. This has far reaching benefits to all individuals and companies worldwide. Any company not participating in an eco friendly, Carbon Offset CPP, is directly contributing to Enhanced Global Warming by non participation.
The Habitat Trust for Wildlife will keep a list of Conservation Partners posted on our website. In addition, anyone can send an email or phone our office for verification.
How long does the partnership last?
Ten years, at which time the partner may choose to renew or terminate
Can my partnership be terminated before the ten year deadline?
Yes. In cases where a Conservation Partner is misrepresenting to the public the level of their participation in the program, attempting to use the program to mitigate specific impacts on the environment or any other abusive conduct, The Habitat Trust will revoke the person’s participation. Likewise, a participant may request that their partnership be dissolved with The Habitat Trust for Wildlife.
Is the financial contribution I make to The Habitat Trust for Wildlife for my participation in the Conservation Partners program refundable?
No. Financial contributions are considered charitable donations and reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as required by law. Therefore, we do not provide refunds.
Can I sell my partnership to someone else?
No. Whether you lose interest in the program, move or even in the event of death, your partnership belongs only to the person and benefactor who enrolled and made the financial contribution.
Can I put the name of another person on the partnership as a gift to them?
Yes. What a wonderful gift a Conservation Partnership is to someone who cares about the environment! You may make the donation on behalf of a friend or loved one, as a birthday or wedding gift and in the memory of a dearly departed. The person making the actual financial charitable contribution is the person that may receive a tax deduction. However, the person who is receiving the gift will have their name listed with an asterisk on our website and verification page. The asterisk will identify that it is a gifted participation.
Is this an “Adopt an Acre” program?
No. Generally, the “Adopt an Acre” programs that are commonly used by land trusts are fundraisers that rarely result in actual land acquisition. Often, “Adopt an Acre” programs are used for capital campaigns that help cover the costs of organizations hoping to someday buy or acquire a specific habitat area. Not all land trusts and conservancies actually own land, but are working towards that goal. The Habitat Trust for Wildlife has already obtained their goal, to acquire and own habitat lands. The Conservation Partners Program provides additional conservation measures, their implementation and administration of the program.
Can I visit the acre of habitat that I am a Conservation Partner of?
Access to some of the conservation lands are restricted or limited due to lack of roads and trails. In circumstances where there is a road or trail near a specific area, you may be able to get close to the habitat area on your visit. However, be aware that The Habitat Trust may be taking specific management actions to have the roads and trails removed, ripped and/or restored to benefit plants and animals. Some areas may be inaccessible due to the topography (elevation and steepness of a slope) of the land or density of vegetation. Therefore, there is no guarantee that you will be able to visit and stand on the specific acre that your partnership is contributing to. The Habitat Trust will provide each Conservation Partner with a color photograph of the Nature Sanctuary area, USGS map with Nature Sanctuary location/s and Google Earth coordinates.
How much of my donation is used?
While some “carbon offset” programs provide a percentage of a donation to a secondary organization (see Green Tags, Bonneville Environmental Foundation), business or subsidiary partner and keeps the rest, The Habitat Trust for Wildlife’s Conservation Partners program is a 100% in-house.
Is this just another tree planting program?
No. The Conservation Partners Program is more than a tree planting project. A healthy functioning forest or any other habitat type contains more than just one species representation. We recognize and conserve ecosystem dynamics through acquisition and management of imperiled and threatened habitats. Ownership of the land, where habitat management is to occur, is the first step towards long-term conservation of the plants and animals dependant on the habitat. Participants in the Conservation Partners program are able to rest assured that their contribution in going into a program that will continue to take actions beyond tree planting.
|
