Tax expert to discuss land conservation

An Introduction to Preserving Family Lands

HAWLEY, PA — Thanks to a regional effort by eight local conservation groups, landowners and professionals can learn the financial benefits of land conservation during two presentations on May 4 and 5.

Stephen J. Small, J.D., L.L.M, recognized as the nation’s leading authority on private land protection and income and estate tax strategies for landowners, will be the featured presenter. Small is the author of a series of three books on preserving family lands, which have sold almost 300,000 copies. Before going into private practice, he was an attorney-advisor in the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., where he wrote the federal income tax regulations on conservation easements.

Interested people should attend the general session designed for landowners and the public on Tuesday, May 4 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The professional session designed for accountants, attorneys, estate planners, financial planners, investment advisors and realtors on Wednesday, May 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon is also open to the public. Both sessions will be held at the PPL Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center on Route 6, just east of Hawley. CLE credits are available and CEU credits have been requested.

On May 4 landowners can learn about land conservation in estate and tax planning, gather materials from local resources and visit with land trusts and sponsors from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. A one-hour presentation by Small will begin at 6:30. Attendees will receive a copy of “Preserving Family Lands, Book 1,” by Stephen Small. Admission costs $10 for members of any partnering organization and $15 for non-members.

Partnering organizations include the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Countryside Conservancy, Lacawac Sanctuary, North Branch Land Trust, Orange County Land Trust, Pocono Heritage Land Trust, the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and the Wildlands Conservancy.

For more information or to register call 570/226-3164 or visit delawarehighlands.org.