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Spring Newsletter 2011 Volume 18, Number 1
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Thank you OVLC members for your overwelming response to our research! Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. After a number of years in this land conservation business, certain patterns emerge. Most of these are predictable, but not all. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy was lucky enough to engage a talented marketing consultant, Steve Miller who generously donated his time to conduct a “market assessment” to help us understand how our members and others feel about us and our work. There are a few results that I found interesting. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is well respected in the community, but not that visible. Did you know
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy P.O. Box 1092 • Ojai, CA 93024 Office location • 370 Baldwin Rd. A-4 Tel. 805.649.OVLC • Fax 649.8913 info@ovlc.org
www.ovlc.org Board of Directors Roger Essick, President Larry Rose, Vice President Stefanie Coeler, Secretary Cari Guerrero, Treasurer Mary Bergen Jesse Grantham Margot Griswold Brian Holly Allan Jacobs Cricket Twichell Nathan Wallace Deborah Whorf
Staff
Greg Gamble, Executive Director Rick Bisaccia, Preserve Manager Darcy Gamble, Development Director Marti Reid, Office Manager Brian Stark, Conservation Director Tom Swetek, Restoration Technician
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that OVLC has completed eleven land/ trail protection projects in our history? The Ventura River Preserve and Ojai Meadows Preserve were for the most part the only two properties that registered for people. We also learned that, in order to earn the support of the community, it was exceedingly important for an organization to be viewed as relevant, beneficial and effective. Clearly there is an opportunity to better communicate our work to the community. Speaking of better communication, the market assessment revealed that the words we use (e.g. “open space”, “land protection/preservation”) mean different things to different people. Some people thought protecting wildlife habitat and allowing recreational use may be in conflict. We feel that we achieve a balance in our work, but the assessment suggests we need to better communicate this. Overall, we found that the community greatly appreciates what we do, and I am thankful for that, and your continued support. Best Wishes, Greg Gamble OVLC Executive Director
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ENHANCED TAX BENEFITS IN 2011 There is an enhanced tax benefit for land protection through December 31st. The U.S. Congress doesn’t seem to agree on much, but one thing that they did agree on in the tax bill that passed a few months ago was an extension of the enhanced deductibility of donated land preservation agreements. This enhanced deductibility applies to donations of “conservation easements” and “agricultural conservation easements” through December 31, 2011, and provides a significant financial incentive for landowners to preserve their land. These easements are voluntary land preservation agreements in which the landowner commits to keep their property undeveloped or available for agricultural use. The landowner maintains ownership, management and control of the land.
ANNUAL SPRING MEMBER DRIVE - RENEW TODAY! When the flowers start blooming and spring is in the air it is time for you to renew your annual membership. Some people renew the same time each year, some renew online, some renew every December, and some used to respond to membership renewal letters that are no longer mailed. If you do not have a personal predetermined time for your renewal then the time is now. We save stamps, paper, and staff time when you renew every spring. RENEW FOR THE WILDLIFE!
Tax Benefits continued on page 3