STONEWALL, TX: The Hill Country Land Trust (HCLT) recognized its conservation partners during a ceremony at the Stonewall Heritage Society’s Lindig cabin on March 27. Hill Country Land Trust President Bill Lindemann presented each of its partner landowners with a gate sign reading ‘conserved in partnership with the Hill Country Land Trust.’

Following the reception, visitors took a tour of the Hershey Ranch, one of HCLT’s newly conserved properties. Terry Hershey conserved her land, located near Stonewall, with a conservation easement in 2009.

Fifteen Hill Country landowners have now voluntarily conserved their lands with a conservation easement agreement with the Hill Country Land Trust. This has permanently conserved 4,451 acres of wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, agricultural lands, historic sites, and watersheds throughout the heart of central Texas.

The Hill Country Land Trust, a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization, was founded in 1998 by a group of volunteer Hill Country landowners concerned about increasingly intense development pressures throughout the region, which threaten to destroy its very nature. HCLT’s goal continues to be that of helping neighbors protect their legacy, whether it is a working farm or ranch, a watershed, recreational land, archeological site, or wildlife habitat. The Hill Country Land Trust is active in Menard, Kimble, Mason, Llano, Burnet, Blanco, Hays, Comal, Kendall, Gillespie, Bandera, Real, Kerr, Edwards, Schleicher, Sutton, Lampasas, San Saba, and McCulloch counties.

The land trust assists landowners in creating the legal document that preserves their long-term conservation goals. There are potential tax benefits to landowners who restrict development; the benefits relate directly to the restrictions placed by the landowner and differ from property to property. The HCLT recommends interested landowners consult with their legal and accounting advisors for specific applications to their properties.

Hill Country Land Trust President Bill Lindemann states, “HCLT stands ready to work with any and all landowners to achieve their preservation goals. Hopefully, landowners will look at their options, talk with their advisors, and give the HCLT a chance to assist.” Lindemann adds, “We want the Hill Country to remain as one of the state’s unique natural treasures for all future generations.”

For more information about the Hill Country Land Trust, please call 830-997-0027 or email landtrust@hughes.net. Interested parties are also welcome to find HCLT at our Facebook page, and at www.hillcountrylandtrust.org