Land is precious especially in the ever-developing Westchester County. Preserving open space protects wildlife habitat and important cultural and historic landscapes for this and future generations. Please consider supporting the MRGP in our efforts to protect and better manage our precious resources.
As a nonprofit organization, the Mianus River Gorge Preserve relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations to carry out its mission. Here are a few ways you can help us be successful.
Ways of Giving
Give to the Annual Appeal
Your support of our annual appeal is the lifeblood of the MRGP. Your donation will be put to good use, right where it is most meeded. Typically, this support helps cover the cost of our research and educational programs, the care and management of the Preserve, and other general operating expenses. Donors can designate their support of particular projects or programs if they desire. As a supporter, you will receive a spring and fall newsletter, which contains articles show how your dollars are at work.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please call or write to:
Mianus River Gorge Preserve
167 Mianus River Rd
Bedford, NY 10506-1808
(914) 234-3455
development@mianus.org
Give to a Special Project or Fund
Land Fund - Contributions to the Land Fund are used specifically to purchase and/or protect priority parcels of land.
Research and Education Programs - The MRGP conducts a number of research and education projects involving staff, graduate students, and high school technicians across numerous facets of ecological science. To learn more about each, please see our research page.
Matching Gift Opportunities
Many business and foundations, generously match their employees financial contributions. This is an easy way to increase, sometimes double, your donation.
Join the Anable Society
Gloria Anable (1901-1988) scientist, explorer and conservationist, was one of the five original founders of the Gorge whose vision and indefatigable spirit guided the evolution of MRGP for over three decades. In her memory, we have established the Anable Society to honor individuals who have made a provision in their estate planning to benefit MRGP. Including the MRGP in your will or other estate plans is a great way to provide a legacy of support for the Gorge while allowing you to make the most of an asset throughout your lifetime. We welcome your consideration of a qualifying gift at an appropriate time for you. In addition to cash, such gifts include conservation value land, a conservation restriction on land , or in some circumstances a gift of non-conservation value land that would be sold to fund our endowment.
If you are interested in the Anable Society, please write Rod Christie, our Executive Director, at rodc@optonline.net
Land Donations
The donation of land for conservation purposes is one of the greatest legacies a person can leave future generations. It can result in a significant income tax deduction and substantial estate tax benefits. It may eliminate costly capital gains taxes associated with the sale of the land, and it may even be structured in such a way as to allow you to continue to live on the property. Some examples of the vehicles for donating land are:
Outright gift – This is easiest and provides an immediate tax deduction for the donor.
Reserved Life Estate – This mechanism allows you to donate your land while continuing to live on it before passing on to a land trust. It is even possible to use this technique to pass land to an heir and then have it ultimately pass to the Gorge.
Donating land by will – One way to insure your land will be protected after your death is by donating it in your will.
Bargain Sale of Land
This option allows you to realize some immediate income from the sale of your land while making it possible for a not-for-profit organization like the Mianus River Gorge Preserve to purchase it. You sell your land for less than the fair market value and in the process avoid some capital gains tax and get an income tax deduction.
Conservation Easements
The MRGP also has over 170 acres of conservation easements in the Mianus Watershed. A conservation easement is a flexible tool by which you can protect certain natural, historic or scenic features of your property while still maintaining ownership. It is a legal agreement between you and a land organization, like the Gorge, that restricts what you can and can’t do on all or part of your property. The degree of restriction is up to you and the holding organization. Since you still own it, you can continue to use the land, sell it or pass it on to heirs. In addition, if the easement meets the Federal tax code requirements, it can result in a potentially significant income tax deduction, a reduction in estate taxes and a possible property tax reduction as well. The easement can be donated during life or by will and can help substantially reduce estate taxes for your heirs.
Once established, the easement runs with the land to protect it in perpetuity. Please remember that you should always check with your tax advisor to fin out what type of gift is best for your situation.
If you are interested in any of our land donation methods, please write Rod Christie, our Executive Director, at rodc@optonline.net
Please remember that you should always check with your tax advisor to find out what type of gift is best for your situation.
The Nature Conservancy is a close land partner of the Gorge, but does not provide any financial support.
Mianus River Gorge Preserve
167 Mianus River Rd
Bedford, NY 10506-1808
(914) 234-3455
rodc@optonline.net