December 11, 2006

To Members, Donors and Friends of the RVLT,

This past year has been a busy but fruitful one for the Raisin Valley Land Trust. Our latest news is that we accepted our second CREP conservation easement in October, and early next year expect to complete our third (see our spring 2006 newsletter about the first). All three are on the River Raisin and in total will comprise 110 acres. We are excited to have our first easements on the river and plan to use this to demonstrate the importance of conservation easements as a practical way of improving the water quality of the Raisin.

We have preserved 550 acres with conservation easements in our fourteen years, a tiny but important part of our landscape. We also devote considerable effort to land stewardship, because a conservation easement alone is not land protection. We are working with the Stewardship Network to teach landowners and anyone who loves the River Raisin’s natural areas how to restore and preserve natural habitat.

As I write, RVLT’s board members and volunteers are looking forward to another busy year, with plenty of work already assigned to each of us. Too much for each of us, in fact! Landowners are requesting our services steadily, at a pace that demands a fulltime staff person.

I am writing to ask that you consider making one of your end-of-the-year charitable contributions to the Raisin Valley Land Trust. For just $25, you can become a member or renew your membership. Any additional gift will also help support our operations, which include rent, phone, Internet and (currently) part-time staff. All donations are tax deductible.

We also have a Designated Fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation. Any donations assigned to the RVLT will produce interest revenue for the RVLT and will earn the donor a 50% Michigan tax credit. Please visit our web site for a link to more information (www.rvlt.org).

Our upcoming newsletter will discuss new state and federal tax incentives for conservation easement donors. The benefits are highest for working farmland. This could tip the balance for many farmers and landowners who would like to see their land preserved but aren’t sure they can afford it. Until then, visit our web site for a link to more information.

Mark your calendar for our Annual Meeting, to be held on January 10, and our annual winter gathering on January 20 (see back panel).

If you want to take a stand for preservation of some of the River Raisin watershed’s most important features, please consider a small gift to a small group that is taking small steps that will join with many other efforts to ensure that some of our rural and natural features will be preserved for future generations. Your support will make a difference.

Wishing you the best of holidays,

Sybil Kolon

Secretary