Land Trusts. What the heck are they???

LAND TRUSTS.

There are two distinct definitions of a land trust:  a private, nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements.  Webster Dictionary

So what does that mean? 

A trust agreement is a document that spells out the rules that you want followed for property held in trust for your beneficiaries. Common objectives for trusts are to reduce the estate tax liability, to protect property in your estate, and to avoid probate.

Think of a trust as a special place in which ordinary property from your estate goes in and, as the result of some type of transformation that occurs, takes on a sort of new identity and often is bestowed with super powers: immunity from estate taxes, resistance to probate, and so on.

How a Land Trust Works :

Land trusts:

• Purchase land
• Acquire land through donations
• Secure conservation easements on land and monitor the terms of these easements
• Work in partnership with private and governmental conservation agencies

Land trusts vary greatly in size. Over half are completely volunteer, others have only a director or one or more part-time staff members, a few have a large staff, prominent board of directors and a large membership. Annual budgets range from under $10,000 to over $1 million. 32% operate with budgets of $100,000 or more. 84% of all land trusts accept land donations. 75% accept conservation easements. In both instances donors can receive significant tax benefits based on the value of the donated land or easement.
63% of land trusts buy land for conservation. 70% of the funds for purchases come from contributions from members and individual donors in the community. Other finds come from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Land trusts also borrow money from banks, foundations, and individuals to buy land. Loans are repaid either through fund raising, sales to conservation buyers or, in the case of advance acquisitions for local, state or federal conservation agencies, when public funds are available and the property is repurchased by the government. Although independent, land trusts frequently work with each other, with national conservation organizations, and with government agencies on important projects. www.possibility.com/LandTrus

 

Suppose that you want to set up a trust. Just like with a cooking recipe or building something in your garage workshop, you need to make sure you have everything you need before you start. To cook up a trust, you need these seven basic ingredients:

• Person setting up the trust. The person is commonly known as the trustor, though you may sometimes see the terms settlor or grantor.
• Objective of the trust. You use different types of trusts to achieve a variety of specific estate-planning objectives. You can use some trusts for a single estate-planning objective, while others help you achieve more than one goal.
• Specific kind of trust. Trusts come in many different varieties. Regardless, when you’re setting up a trust, you need to decide what type of trust you want and make sure that you follow all the rules for that particular type of trust to make sure that it’s proper and legal, and carries out your intentions.
• Property. After you place property into a trust, that property is formally known as trust property.
• Beneficiary. Just like with other aspects of your estate plan (your will, for example), a trust’s beneficiary (or, if more than one, beneficiaries) benefits from the trust in some way, usually because the person or institution will eventually receive some or all of the property that was placed into trust.
• Trustee. The person in charge of the trust is known as the trustee. The trustee needs to understand the rules for the type of trust he or she is managing to make sure everything in the trust stays in working order.
• Rules. Finally, some of the rules that must be followed are inherently part of the type of trust used, while other rules depend on what is specified in the trust agreement. You will find still more rules in state and federal law

  What Is a Trust?By N. Brian Caverly, Esq. and Jordan S. Simon

Types of Texas Land Trusts:

Watershed Land Trust: The Watershed Land Trust (WLT) Is a nonprofit charitable organization which was formed to hold land in fee simple and/or conservation easements in perpetuity. Most Land Trust's mission is to hold vast areas of land typically in large sections. With the ability and expertise to work with any Mitigation Bank or In Lieu Fee arrangement, the WLT is unique in that its mission and focus is to preserve watersheds, waterways, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and adjacent (riparian) corridors and green space primarily for the benefit of water quality, ecosystems, and Open Space. Such a Conservation Purpose could be for preservation of fish, wildlife, or plant habitats or ecosystems.

The World Land Trust

The mission of the World Land Trust is:

• To protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the world. To conserve their biodiversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species
• Campaigning and lobbying governments to protect our dwindling wildlife heritage is important, and many other organisations do this very effectively, but the World Land Trust was set up to take direct action and has developed the expertise to work effectively with overseas project partners to protect wildlife habitats through land purchase

http://www.worldlandtrust.org/

The mission of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust is to preserve the unique natural heritage of the Guadalupe watershed for future generations, by protecting open landscapes, working farms and ranches, and wildlife habitat through conservation easements, education, and outreach that connects people to the water and the land.
Amazingly, in Texas where land is so plentiful, we are losing this open land more rapidly than any other state.
The Guadalupe River is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the United States, stretching from the springs and canyons of the Texas Hill Country to the marine environment of the Gulf Coast wetlands and San Antonio Bay


The Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust organization that was developed to conserve land in the Guadalupe River Watershed for its natural, recreational, scenic, historic and productive value. It was founded in 2001 by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, a conservation and reclamation district created in 1933 by the Texas Legislature. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) has also partnered with the Trust. The voluntary board of directors consists of citizens who share a love of the Guadalupe River - one of the most pristine rivers in Texas. http://www.gbrtrust.org/

High Density Development.

High Density Development

High density development has become fashionable through urban renewal.  Many countries have been buliding up for centuries.  The belief is that it not only takes up less space but it is also less obtrusive on the immediate environment.  The latest trend has seen more of this development with a mix of retail.  The ideal premise behing these building is to meet the needs of its tenants within a walking distance. 

New Urbanism utilizes high density development towards a more sustainable environment.



NEW URBANISM promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities composed of the same components as conventional development, but assembled in a more integrated fashion, in the form of complete communities. These contain housing, work places, shops, entertainment, schools, parks, and civic facilities essential to the daily lives of the residents, all within easy walking distance of each other. New Urbanism promotes the increased use of trains and light rail, instead of more highways and roads. Urban living is rapidly becoming the new hip and modern way to live for people of all ages. Currently, there are over 4,000 New Urbanist projects planned or under construction in the United States alone, half of which are in historic urban centers. http://www.newurbanism.org/

High Density construction allows a balance with nature.  It allows us to be less intrusive on our environment.  High Density development reclaims old buildings and revitalizes them.  They create a sense of community.  They limit our dependence on fossil fuel by decreasing the need for cars. 

 

Some of the happiest places on earth are built on high density living.  The emphasis is taking off of material commidities and placed more on community and clean living. 

 

"The answer you get is not only how they feel right now, but also how they feel about their entire life," explained Dan Buettner, who has studied happiness and longevity around the world through his Blue Zones project Buettner said that if you mine all the databases of universities and research centers, you'll find that the happiest place on earth is ? Denmark. Cold, dreary, unspectacular Denmark.

 

 

The Danes are on to something!

 

Some opponents to high density believe that it can increase crime and can lead to overcrowding and noise pollution.  I believe it creates a sense of community lessoning crime.  If built right noise pollution and overcrowding are easily overcome.

 

Some are afraid of the costs but if a building is built with sustainability in mind the higher real estate costs can be off set by decreased utitlity and car costs. 

 

We as a society need to demand more smart building and living from our city governments. 

 

 

Carbon Footprints. What's yours?

What is a Carbon footprint?

The term first showed up back in 1999.  I realized when starting this blog that some people may not know what a carbon footprint is.  We need to share information and educate those that have not been exposed to the harsh realities of our perishing environment. 

car·bon foot·print 

nouncarbon footprints, plural The amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to the the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc How do you determine your Carbon footprint:

try this online quiz: www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

 

Average household:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do we reduce our Carbon Footprint???

 

Reduce your footprint

There are many simple ways to reduce the footprint you leave on the planet. Learn how to reduce your footprint in each consumption category-carbon, food, housing, and goods and services-but don't stop there. Amplify your impact by encouraging others to follow your lead. Engage your friends and community with local and global movements for social change, or start your own movement!

Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Use cleaner transport

• Walk, bike, or take public transit whenever possible.
• Avoid allowing your car to idle. If you'll be waiting for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine (except in traffic). And don't take the drive-through-park the car and walk inside instead.
• Have your vehicle serviced regularly to keep the emission control systems operating at peak efficiency. Check your car's air filter monthly, and keep the tires adequately inflated to maximize gas mileage.
• Avoid short airplane trips-take a bus or train instead.

Add energy-saving features to your home

• Install compact fluorescent bulbs in all your home light fixtures-but remember, compact fluorescents contain mercury, so look for low-mercury models and be sure to dispose of old bulbs safely through your local hazardous waste program.
• Weatherproof your home. Make sure your walls and ceilings are insulated, and consider double-pane windows. Eliminate drafts with caulking, weather strips, and storm windows and doors.
• Insulate your water heater. Even better, switch to a tankless water heater, so your water will be heated only as you use it.
• Choose energy efficient appliances.

Adopt energy-saving habits

• Keep thermostat relatively low in winter and ease up on the air conditioning in summer. Clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters as recommended to keep the A/C operating at peak efficiency.
• Unplug your electronics when not in use. To make it easier, use a power strip. Even when turned off, items like your television, computer, and cellphone charger still sip power.
• Dry your clothes outside whenever possible.
• Make minimal use of power equipment when landscaping.
• Defrost your refrigerator and freezer regularly.
• Choose green electricity. Many utilities give you the option to purchase electricity generated by wind and solar power for a small rate surcharge.
• Purchase carbon offsets to make up for the energy use you can't eliminate.

 Reduce your Food Footprint

• Eat more local, organic, in-season foods.
• Plant a garden-it doesn't get more local than that.
• Shop at your local farmer's market or natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that haven't traveled long distances to reach you.
• Choose foods with less packaging to reduce waste.
• Eat lower on the food chain-going meatless for just one meal a week can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption.

Reduce your Housing Footprint

Choose sustainable building materials, furnishings, and cleaning products.

• Explore green design features for your building, like passive solar heating, a rainwater catchment or grey water recycling system, and recycled materials.
• Choose efficient appliances, including low flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets.
• Choose furnishings that are second-hand, recycled, or sustainably produced.
• Plant drought tolerant plants in your garden and yard.
• Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products.

 Adopt water-saving habits

• Take shorter, less frequent showers-this not only saves water, but the energy necessary to heat it.
• Don't use the garbage disposal. Compost instead.
• Run the dishwasher and the laundry machine only when full.
• Wash cars rarely, or better yet, take them to a carwash. Commercial carwashes use less water per wash than home washers, and they are also required to drain used water into the sewage system, rather than storm drains, which protects aquatic life.
• Avoid hosing down or power-washing your deck, walkways, or driveway.
• Regularly look for and fix leaks.

Reduce your Goods and Services Footprint

• Buy less! Replace items only when you really need to.
• Recycle all your paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. Don't forget electronics!
• Compost food waste for the garden. Garbage that is not contaminated with degradable (biological) waste can be more easily recycled and sorted, and doesn't produce methane gases (a significant greenhouse gas contributor) when stored in a landfill.
• Buy recycled products, particularly those labeled "post-consumer waste."

http://myfootprint.org/en/

Please take the quiz.  Sometimes knowing is half the battle. 

Local Food vs. Organic Food

There is a small farm four blocks down from my house.  No I don't live out in the country, I live in Arlington, Texas.  Every season this farm has a different crop that the public can pick themselves for a small fee.  They also sells fresh farm eggs as well.  This produce is some of the best and freshest produce I have ever eaten in all my years on this great earth.  The other great thing about this produce is that it isn't trucked in from 400 miles away and transported via fossile fuel.  I am not only getting the best produce possible but I am also supporting my local community and helping cure our dependency on fossile fuels. 

"Nearly a quarter of American shoppers now buy organic products once a week, up from 17% in 2000. But for food purists, "local" is the new "organic," the new ideal that promises healthier bodies and a healthier planet." "If you send it halfway around the world before it is eaten, an organic food still may be 'good' for the consumer, but is it 'good' for the food system?" (Nabhan 2002)

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1595245,00.html#ixzz1ZUdSSumt

I think the question comes down to the greater good for the greater amount.  Not only does buying local support our local community it also helps depleate the amount of fossil fuel used.  Most local growers choose to not use pesticides or they use a limited amount. 

Farmers, such as Glenn Cook of Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, Dick Chase of Arrowhead Farm in Newburyport and Matthew Kozazcki of Tendercrop Farm in Newbury say their locally grown fruits and vegetables are far less likely to contain those kinds of chemicals.

Even organic farmers use pesticides. 

"Organic farms that are being touted for not containing the organophosphates measured in the most recent study use pesticides, too, he said, but they're just not the kinds of pesticides that are thought to be the most dangerous."

Hendricks Lynne. (2002,November),Local farmers limit spraying of pesticides. Time Magazine.

In the end organic is just as tainted by pesticides.  When you buy local you support your economy, improve health and make an impact on global warming.

I challenge you to buy local. 

H2O Blog.

Water going, going, gone!

"Peter H. Gleick, an environmental scientist at the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security, a research organization in California, fears that by the year 2025, as many as one-third of the world's projected 8.3 billion people will suffer from water shortages." "More than 1 billion people worldwide don't have access to basic clean drinking water," says Gleick. "There has to be a strong push on the part of everyone--governments and ordinary people--to make sure we have a resource so fundamental to life.(Roberts) Our water shortage has already begun.  If we are unable to start conserving this precious resource more and more people will be without it.  Our methods of containing clean water are also greatly impacting our environment in a negative way as well.  Seas are shrinking to half their size and now contain twice the amount of normal salt levels, making the water unusable to both humans and the seas inhabitants. In North Texas alone over pumping has shrunk ground water by 25%. 

There are easy ways to conserve water ourselves.

·  only run the dishwasher with a full load

·  scrape your dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing

·  use your garbage disposal sparingly

·  place a stopper in the sink to wash pots and pans, rather than turning on faucet each time a rinse is needed

·  when brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet until it is time to rinse

·  install low-flow shower heads

·  take showers instead of baths; showers with low-flow shower heads often use less water than baths

·  use a toilet tank displacement device; these devices will reduce the volume of water in the tank but still provide enough water for flushing

·  wash only a full load when using an automatic washing machine

·  use the lowest possible water level setting on the washing machine

·  use cold water as often as possible

·  water lawns early in the morning or late at night to avoid evaporation

·  avoid watering lawns in windy weather

·  use drip irrigation systems for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs

·  use a broom rather than the hose to "sweep" walks and driveways

·  use a bucket of soapy water to wash your car and save the hose for rinsing

What is Texas Doing?

The state requires cities to turn in conservation plans with 5- and 10-year targets for water savings.  The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Water Conservation Implementation Task Force recommended a minimum 1% reduction per year of current per capital usage with a statewide average goal of 140 gallons per capital per day (GPCD).

What are we doing in Fort Worth?

"Officials at the Tarrant Regional Water District say conservation efforts adopted by many area

cities over the past two years are saving about 90 million gallons a day (at 660,253 gallons of

water each, that would be about 136 Olympic-size pools, by the way), leaving lakes and

reservoirs at 94 percent of capacity." 

Now not only do we have to contend with misuse and mismanagement, we also have to look at the ill effects of global warming and the horrific evaporation that is occuring because of our high tempertures and lack of rain.  It maycome down to rationing water for each household.  

Roberts,Rex (October 1997).  Will We Run Out of Water. Science World   http://www.texaswatermatters.org/

http://www.savetexaswater.tamu/

Energy Blog

After researching solar panels I have realized that there are many factors that contribute to their successfulness.  Solar panels or photovoltaic panels are a great start to going green.  They can help reduce utility costs almost immediately after successful installation.  In order to reach zero admissions there are many other building factors that have to be addressed in addition to the panels.  Proper window placement for optimal natural light and also heat from the sun are very important factors.  Proper insulation and building material also play a big factor.  Having a system that adjusts the lights according to the outside also helps this alternative energy source.  There are many pros of solar panels.  They are virtually maintenance free. The only coat being the initial cost of the product and installation.  There are many financial incentives from the government that can provide some relief from the initial cost.  Solar energy is clean and renewable.  It is not subjected to the rising costs of fossil fuels.  Sunlight is free.  There are also some cons to solar panels.  The initial cost and be very expensive.  You must have a large surface area to house the panels.  The absorption of sun is contingent on the weather with most systems; the more expensive ones can still absorb and convert UV rays into usable energy.  The investment cost is usually not offset in the first 5 years.  Less efficient homes do not see returns until after 10.  The productions of these panels have a negative impact on the environment because of the materials used in making them.  The system has to also be carefully planned and executed or else it will not work.

Here are some examples of Solar panels.

Cambridge Porter Square Shopping Center Case study demonstrates a communities efforts to educate their citizens on alternative energy. 

Estimated Start up Cost: $8 t0 $10 dollares per watt for a complete system

Annual Energy Production: 22,000 kWh, about 30% of the building’s common area usage.

Annual Energy Cost Savings: approximately $4,400

Annual Emissions Offsets: 31,680 lbs. of CO2, 163 lbs. of SO2, 53.9 lbs. of NOx

Size: 80 modules (ea. measuring approx. 4 ft.x 6 ft.) Total panel area =1920 square feet

Electricity Produced to Date: 165,000 kWh between 1999 and 2008

Savings Realized to Date: Approximately $35,000 in electricity charges

 A great start to going green bust very costly. 

http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/et/climate/clim_cases/pv_case_porter_sq.pdf

My sustainability journey.

I have created a slide show to introduce myself and to show you what led me to where I am today.  I truly believe that if we do not start taking action and changing our current habits my children will not have be able to breath easy.  We have to motivate ourselves and others through our own personal actions and beliefs.  We need to educate one person at a time and spread the truth, the horror and the harsh reality of the state our environment is in.  Education is the only way to rapidly get our message out and start making a difference.  This is our last hope.  This is my children's last hope.  We need to be a little inconvenienced and live well within our means.  If we don't I am afraid of what the future will hold.  The truth is being green is fun and you feel good both physically and mentally.  Take the journey with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6igbxD5cXU