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Bill Wenk, a native of Freedom Township, has permanently preserved 41 acres of open space on Waters Road.
“It was an easy decision to put the property into the Land Trust,” says Bill. “For one thing, the protection makes property taxes manageable, and gives other significant tax advantages too.
"Most importantly, though, it allows me to keep a part of the family farm that has been in the family for almost 150 years.”
 Bill, who now resides in Denver, Colorado, has fond memories of cutting wood with his father on this land, which the family affectionately refers to as "the swamp". His father Ernest used the property to graze sheep and cattle for many years.
The protection agreement that Bill signed with the Land Trust, also known as a conservation easement, is a legal agreement that places restrictions on the future development of the property. Under the terms of the agreement, the land can be sold, inherited, and managed responsibly, but it cannot be developed for residential or commercial use.
As part of his protection agreement, Bill has reserved the right to allow grazing on the property. Not only would this restore the property to its historic use, but the grazing could act as a preventative against invasive plant species which threaten natural habitat. Bill has also reserved the right to potentially farm the corner five acres, which was once planted with corn, alfalfa, wheat, and oats.
“It’s exciting to think that farther into the future, this land could once again contribute as a local food source,” Bill said.
With the donation of the conservation agreement, the property value of the land decreases because of the restrictions on future development. However, this is offset in part by federal income tax deductions that are available to property owners who donate such an agreement. The loss in land value is considered a donation to the nonprofit Land Trust. The Land Trust, in turn, takes on the responsibility of making sure the land stays protected.
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The first land trust established in Michigan, Washtenaw Land Trust is a private non-profit that protects - forever - the natural areas and farms that make our community a great place to live. Since 1971, this growing organization has directly protected 59 properties totaling 3,371 acres throughout Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ingham counties through voluntary land conservation. With the Ludwig lands, the Land Trust has protected 840 acres in 2007. For more information please visit www.washtenawlandtrust.org, or contact the Land Trust at info@washtenawlandtrust.org or 734-302-LAND (5263).
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How You Can Support Local Land Protection
More great projects like this are in the works. Your gift to the Land Trust will ensure that funds are ready for the next big opportunity. If you'd like to make a gift:
Thank you! For more information, please contact Suzie Heiney at 734-302-LAND (5263) or suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.
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