Fee Simple Donations
The other way we conserve is by accepting a fee simple land donation. Here HCLT owns the land outright. While every property HCLT conserves offers some form of public benefit (such as protecting wildlife habitat, water quality or biological diversity), only some of these properties are available for public access. Our first-ever conserved public access property was Satulah Mountain Preserve (conserved 1909), followed by Sunset and Sunrise Rocks (conserved 1914) and most recently, Edward Baker Preserve (conserved 2020). HCLT owns all of these properties in fee simple title and manages these special places as preserves where we welcome the public a chance to enjoy and appreciate nature. We do not receive any significant funding from municipalities or any public entity for the management of these properties, many of which have become significant natural amenities beloved by and for our community. In addition to public enjoyment, HCLT’s fee simple lands serve as crucial field sites for researchers and scientists from all over the world.
Fee Simple (donate land)
The landowner donates their property to HCLT outright. These land donors receive the charitable contribution benefits of the full market value of their property.
Occasionally, HCLT accepts the donation of a property that has few or no conservation values, with the understanding that it will be sold now or in the future to help preserve significant conservation properties elsewhere to further HCLT's mission
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Purchase
Occasionally, HCLT engages in a purchase acquisition agreement or bargain sale agreement. A bargain sale allows the landowner to receive income for the sale of the property, but the sales price is below market value. The difference between the full market value and the sale price is considered a charitable contribution. At the end of the year 2024, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) successfully and permanently conserved the Twiggs Tract, which consists of a significant natural expanse of 100 acres. This tract serves as a critical endholding fully surrounded by United States Forest Service Land (USFS) and is situated conveniently near the Iron Bridge, approximately five miles directly south of Cashiers.
