480-948-7411
480-948-7411
The mission of the Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust (“The Preserve Trust”) is the preservation of the natural landscape, desert plants, wildlife, and scenic beauty of the mountain areas within and surrounding the Town of Paradise Valley.
The Preserve Trust was founded in 1997 as an organization exempt from Federal and Arizona State income tax. The Trust operates for charitable purposes as defined in Federal Code § 501(c)(3).
Our Goal is to acquire, maintain, preserve, and protect in perpetuity undeveloped and developed real property that can by returned to its natural state on and around the Preserve Trust lands.
The term “Mountain Preserve” identifies all property included on Mummy Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and Phoenix Mountain Preserve area within and surrounding the Town of Paradise Valley boundaries.
The current total Preserve Trust land encompasses over 260 acres and is actively working with property owners to expand its stewardship.
The Preserve Trust operates as an independently governed Land Trust that is separate from the administration of the Town of Paradise Valley, but has the Town’s full cooperation due to mutually beneficial and shared goals.
Thank you for your consideration to help protect the mountains and support open space and preservation to benefit future generations. Your leadership is commendable!
Land can be donated to the Preserve Trust with the assurance that it will be protected in perpetuity from future development. Prohibition of public access (e.g., trails) or construction of public works projects (e.g., cell towers) can be guaranteed by the terms of your gift. The donor may qualify for Federal Tax benefits.
Similar to a land donation in terms of benefits, with a conservation easement the property owner retains ownership of their entire property but enters into a voluntary agreement with the Preserve Trust that permanently limits uses of the land to protect its conservation values. Landowners retain the right to own and use the land, sell it, and pass it to their heirs. The land remains in its natural state.
As a Public Benefit Non-Profit, the Preserve Trust accepts tax deductible donations from the public, stewards the land in perpetuity, and raises the awareness of our mission to preserve the mountain heritage of our Town.
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. Landowners retain many of their rights, including their right to own and use the land, sell it, and pass it on to their heirs.
Conservation easements allow people to protect the land that they love. They are the number one tool for protecting privately owned land. All conservation easements must provide public benefits, such as scenic views, wildlife habitat, or historic preservation.
A conservation easement donation can result in significant tax benefits if it meets the requirements of federal law. It may lower your federal income tax because you can claim the value of the easement as a tax-deductible charitable donation. It may also lower your state income tax, depending on your state laws. Learn more by speaking with your tax adviser.
As of 2015, nearly 17 million acres in the United States were protected by state and local land trusts through conservation easements. This is in part the result of their flexibility in allowing landowners to achieve their goals.
Contact the Preserve Trust through Duncan Miller at [email protected] or at 480-348-3610 to arrange for an initial meeting and site visit. This will allow you to discuss your goals for the property, reserved rights, etc.
Submit an updated title search, available maps and surveys, and the deed to the Preserve Trust. Note: previous mortgages and liens will need to be satisfied or subordinated.
Consult with your attorney and tax advisers to review the IRS regulations concerning land donations and conservation easements.
Establish the tax value of the land donation or conservation easement by contracting with a licensed appraiser. Your appraisal must be conducted no more than 60 days before completing your donation.
Donor must file an IRS Form 8283 signed by the donor and the appraiser and obtain a gift letter from the Preserve Trust.
Donor should discuss the tax benefits and requirements of the land donation or conservation easement with their tax advisers.
Gift Letter from the Preserve Trust: When donating land or granting a conservation easement, IRS regulations require you to obtain a gift letter from the Preserve Trust that it has accepted your gift.