Our Mission

The Cornwall Conservation Trust’s mission is to conserve and manage open space forest, wetlands, meadows, and farmland in Cornwall and adjacent towns to promote scenic values, forest health, water quality, farming, public recreation, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.

The CCT is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of our town’s natural assets. It is organized to provide broad public participation in its activities, and membership is open to everyone.

CCT seeks to conserve and protect Cornwall land in a way which reflects the wishes of the community. Of particular interest is land which has scenic, cultural or historic value, significant agricultural or natural worth, or important water resources.

The CCT has a two-fold function:

• to accept or acquire properties or conservation rights by gift, purchase or bequest, and
• to manage the Trust’s holdings for farming, forest improvement, wildlife, recreation or open space.

CCT works in cooperation with the town’s land use commissions and other groups to balance constructive growth and the protection of natural resources.

CCT has committed itself to work towards preventing the unnecessary loss of farmland and marshland, streams and ponds, woodlands and meadows, plant and animal life. And, by extension, to maintain the diverse human community this environment sustains.

CCT thus helps assure the continued existence of qualities that make Cornwall unique: its rural and historic character and its natural setting.

CCT operates to serve these long-term conservation goals of the town at large, while providing incentives for residents who may have land or financial support to give.

Any donor of land or money to a non-profit organization receives the benefit of federal income tax laws regarding charitable donations.

In addition, by giving away certain interests in property, estate taxes for heirs can be reduced: at current rates, estate taxes may otherwise force heirs to an unwilling sale of all or part of what they have been left.

Other tax benefits are possible, depending on many variable details. Professional estate planning help should be sought. CCT wants to encourage wise land use decisions by Cornwall residents. To this end, our group may offer to pay for an initial consultation and joint site visit with a professional land planner. This could provide an opportunity to determine financial and land use goals and help answer such questions as:

Should I sell or develop part of my property? My land has soared in value. What can I do to reduce estate taxes for my heirs? How can I use limited development to help relieve financial pressure on family members?

How can I achieve my financial goals and still protect the natural character of my land? Giving to the Cornwall Conservation Trust.

Learn more about how to protect your land.