Board of Directors_____Executive Director

Oconee River Land Trust (ORLT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to land conservation, achieved through conservation easements. Easements are voluntary agreements between a landowner and either a government agency or a land trust. These binding contractual instruments are used by land trusts like ORLT to preserve natural lands that can be used for wildlife protection as well as scenic, recreational, historic, and agricultural purposes.

There are several reasons why individuals choose to protect their land, and most not only benefit themselves, but also local area residents. Protecting land gives residents enhanced recreational opportunities, improved habitat for wildlife, and protected views and scenery. Land trusts also reduce potential impact of negative externalities, such as traffic congestion or overcrowded schools. The number of land trusts have grown dramatically over the last few decades, proving that there is substantial interest in private land conservation. There are many benefits to the environment that also directly affect individuals and their community. Land trusts maintain or improve water quality of nearby rivers, which are a potential source of drinking water.  Lastly, land conservation indirectly benefits local taxpayers, because when land is developed it increases public expenditures for upkeep.

Land conservation easements preserve the environment by restricting development, whether it be real estate, commercial, or industrial. Despite the restrictions created under this agreement, the land remains the private property of the landowner and does not transfer to the public. ORLT monitors the status of the property and keeps these lands compliant with federal and state law.

Landowners who donate a qualifying conservation easement to a qualified land protection organization under the section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code may be eligible for a federal income tax deduction.

Easements are among the fastest growing means of land preservation in the country. The Land Trust Alliance (www.landtrustalliance.org) was created in 1982 to strengthen the work of local and state land trusts across the country. ORLT received its accreditation in August 2009 from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission as one of 78 accredited land trusts nationwide.  It is estimated that the national conservation community is currently comprised of 1.5 million dedicated land conservation professionals, volunteers and supporters.

Since its inception in 1993, ORLT has protected 2,154 acres on 28 conservation easements; they also have one fee ownership. ORLT primarily protects land in the Upper Oconee River Watershed but some extend to the Broad and Alcovy Watersheds.  At the present time, ORLT protects land in the following eight counties: Baldwin, Jackson, Oglethorpe, Clarke, Walton, Barrow, Madison and Oconee.

To contact ORLT or schedule an appointment, please contact Steffney Thompson at oconeeriverlandtrust@gmail[dot]com.