Land Trust of the Treasure Valley

What does the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley do?

We collaborate with landowners, citizens and agencies to identify important natural open space lands and encourage permanent protection of these lands through a variety of ways that help meet the landowner’s needs.

How do you protect open spaces?

One way is to work with landowners or developers in placing a conservation easement on their property. The easement is designed to meet the goals of the landowner. The Land Trust’s role is to assure the landowner’s desire is carried out, in perpetuity, by monitoring the land and making sure the terms of the easement are being met. There may be tax benefits from gifting a conservation easement to the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley.

Do you buy land?

Purchasing land is the best way to assure protection, but is also the most expensive and the most challenging to achieve. Obtaining the funds, or fundraising for land purchases is one tool, but other tools are more frequently used. Often the best way of obtaining acquisition funds is through local taxing initiatives such as the Foothills Serial Levy that Boise residents passed in 2001, which increased property taxes for two years and then ended. This raised $10 million dollars for land purchases from willing sellers.

There are so many large developments being planned. How do you preserve open space with so much development pressure?

The Land Trust of the Treasure Valley sees this growth as a means to achieve significant open space protection. We do not advocate for or against specific development projects. Rather we encourage conservation of the most important open spaces and work for long term protection of these lands. Development and open space protection can occur together if the developer is interested in open space conservation. An example is the partnership we are involved in between Harris Ranch development, Trout Unlimited and Idaho Fish and Game to construct a trout stream that will allow fish to swim freely around Barber Dam for the first time in nearly 100 years.

How can I help protect important open space for future generations?

First, become a member of the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley. Members are our most important resource. Second, call or send an email if you are interested in volunteer opportunities. We are in the process of creating a number of ways people like you can help protect stream corridors, scenic hillsides, habitat and recreation for future generations.

Info: For more information, contact the Land Trust at 385-7927, and ask for your free copy of Commonly Asked Questions About Donations of Conservation Easements.