Hill Country Alliance, Comal County Conservation Alliance Announce Partnership To Host Landowner Workshop

Staff Reports

On January 28, the Hill Country Alliance announced a partnership with the Comal County Conservation Alliance to co-host a landowner workshop on February 15. 

The even will take place from 10 AM to 4:30 PM at the Anhalt Dance Hall in Spring Branch, Texas (2390 Anhalt Road, Spring Branch, TX 78070).

With support from Braun & Gresham, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, Plateau Land Group, the Alamo Resource Conservation & Development Area Inc. and other co-sponsors, the one-day workshop will highlight financial and conservation tools available to rural landowners in fast-growing Hill Country counties.

According to organizers, many landowners are concerned about conserving those special natural features and the agricultural heritage of their family-owned property.

Landowners face the challenge of increasing tax burdens associated with land ownership, including the potential impact of estate taxes on their heirs. The seminar is designed to provide farmers, ranchers and other landowners with effective tools and resources to help them address issues inherent in passing family land on to future generations.

Speakers will present on a variety of topics including The Case for Conservation in Comal County; Wildlife and Open Space Valuation; Financial Tools and Programs for Landowners; Conservation Easement Basics and Tax Benefits; and Understanding the Role of Land Trusts. 

The event will also include a panel of local landowners and conservation easement donors, who will host a discussion and a questions and answers session with the attendees.

The workshop cost is $15 per person ($20 for couples), which includes lunch and a social following the workshop. Registration begins at 9:30 AM; walk-ins are welcome, however, pre-registration is advised to ensure a seat. Those interested in attending can register online at www.hillcountryalliance.org.

The Hill Country Alliance and the Comal County Conservation Alliance are hosting the workshop with assistance from the Braun & Gresham Family of Companies, Alamo RC&D Area Inc, Anhalt Hall, Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust, Blair Wildlife Consulting, Texas Wildlife Association, Ranch Connection LLC and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association.

More information is available by contacting the workshop coordinator Carolyn Vogel cavogel2013@gmail.com  or 512.633.4995.