What’s New at BrightFields, Inc.

Delaware residents are increasingly expressing interest in opportunities to increase the financial benefits associated with their land while, at the same time, preserving their lifestyle and the natural value of their land now and for generations to come.  Residents are specifically requesting that more information be offered about the voluntary land conservation options available to them and how these options can support their financial, retirement, and estate planning goals.

In response to these requests, The Nature Conservancy is offering a workshop entitled “Land Conservation Options and Estate Planning for Delaware Landowners”.  This  free workshop is being offered two times, once on Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 9:00am to 11:30am at the St. Jones Estuarine Research Reserve (818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover) and once on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the Carvel Research and Education Center (16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, Delaware). 

Helping The Nature Conservancy with this workshop is a team of first class tax accountants, trust and estate attorneys, real estate attorneys, and appraisers with expertise in conservation transactions.  The workshop will feature these experts discussing and answering questions about a number of case studies that highlight how various land conservation options can help landowners meet their goals for their land, families, and long-term financial plans.  Workshop attendees will receive a kit of materials to take home for future reference.

The natural features of Delaware provide habitat for over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and the cultural history of Delaware has yielded working landscapes and a rich tradition of land stewardship.  A growing population and increasing land use threaten these unique features of our state.  The future of Delaware’s working landscapes and natural resources hinges on finding cooperative solutions that meet the needs of Delaware’s private landowners. 

If you would like more information about the workshops, please contact Kate Hackett at The Nature Conservancy at 302-584-2170 or email (khackett@tnc.org).