Conservation is defined as action taken to “prevent wasteful use of a resource” or “careful maintenance and upkeep of a natural resource to prevent it from disappearing.” Conservation allows us to care for resources like soil, water, air, energy, plants, and animals with a long-term goal of sustainability for the future. Whether you live on one acre or hundreds, conservation practices are applicable and beneficial for all. There are a few ways that conservation can show up in Georgia, and it’s important to recognize some of the differences between programs.
One thing that often gets brought up during tax season is land that is maintained in a “conservation use” tax valuation status. This program, which is offered through the Georgia Department of Revenue, is designed to “protect property owners from being pressured by property tax burdens to convert land from agricultural use to commercial or residential use.” Land in this program is assessed at 40% of it’s current use value, which results in lowered property taxes for landowners. Ultimately, the goal of this program is to ensure that we are maintaining as much undeveloped land as possible throughout the state. In order for property to qualify as “conservation use” the landowner must keep the land undeveloped in a “qualifying use” for a period of 10 years, or be penalized. The biggest requirement of conservation use is that 50% of the property has to be devoted to production of agricultural products or timber throughout the 10-year covenant. If you are interested in the conservation use tax valuation status, I recommend contacting the local Tax Assessor and the state Department of Revenue for more information. Another program offers financial incentives to landowners who donate permanent conservation easements or land itself to conservation organizations through the Georgia Conservation Tax Credit Program, with a focus on permanently protecting land from development.
Another way we discuss conservation is with actual conservation plans developed in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS has staff that will work with land owners to assess concerns or issues related to natural resources on their property and develop a strategic plan for alleviating them. The plan includes tools and resources unique to each plot of land such as land use maps, soils information, schedule of recommended practices, and other practical advice for managing our natural resources. The planning process includes 9 steps, and NRCS is available for support throughout the way. The use of an actual conservation plan is focused more on the action steps you can take as a landowner to protect natural resources like soil, water, plants, and animals. While the development of a conservation plan may be better suited to larger tracks of land with specific concerns, there is no minimum land requirement for individuals interested in this program. If you’d like further assistance, contact the NRCS office in Wilkes County.
Conservation is an important part of caring for our environment and ensuring the sustainability of resources into the future. This article sums two of the larger areas of interest, but there are many other ways conservation is enacted in our state. If you’d like more information on natural resources and conservation, please contact us at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
