The East Mississippi Foothills Land Trust is a local conservation land trust
established to provide a way for landowners who have land with scenic,
historic, or cultural value to set aside the property for prosperity. More
specifically, land trusts are private non-profit conservation organizations
that are qualified to accept voluntary “conservation easements” and hold
land in trust at the landowner’s request.
Our organization was established in November 2003 and has adopted the
Chunky River as our first project. The Chunky has been named a “Scenic
Stream” by the State of Mississippi and has great potential as a
recreational resource. Our goal is to establish a buffer zone along both
sides of the 26-mile stretch of river that is included in the scenic streams
program.
Conservation Easements are entirely voluntary. The landowner retains
ownership of the property and continues use of the property with certain
restrictions as agreed upon in the easement. The terms of an easement are
flexible and can be tailored to fit the landowner’s requirements.
The benefits to the landowners are many. One benefit is the satisfaction of
knowing your wishes for your land will be followed after death. In addition,
there are property tax advantages that will accrue immediately, and the
inheritance taxes can also be reduced. Another benefit is that adjacent
property values usually go up as a result of protecting scenic areas.
Please review the information we have included concerning the
requirements and details of granting easements. We hope to meet with you
soon to
discuss your possible participation in this effort to protect and
preserve a very special part of our area for our children and their children’s
use and enjoyment.

Tommy Vincent, President
East Mississippi Foothills Land Trust