Artwork by Good Hope Middle School Student Paul Gensbigler
Happy Holidays from the
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy
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In This Issue
CPC Announces Letort Book
Cumberland County Land Partnerships Grant to CPC
Ironmaster's Challenge 2016...Registration is Now Open
Federal Action on Conservation Easement Tax Incentives
Holiday Greeting
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Holiday 2015 CPC E-News
News about CPC's projects and events
CPC Announces a New Book Publication...The Letort: A Limestone Legacy; Purchase Your Copy Today!


The Letort: A Limestone Legacy is hot off the press and makes a perfect gift for any angler or nature-lover in your life. It is a collaboration between CPC and the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide to promote CPC's pending acquisition of the 30-acre headwater property on the Letort's east branch, as well as raise awareness about the significance of the stream and its surrounding wetlands, trails, and meadows as a vital natural, recreational, and historic resource in our local community.

The book features reflections from local anglers, articles about the local research and monitoring of the Letort Spring Run, and a historical timeline, beginning with James LeTort's settlement on the headwaters, derived from newspapers, books, and historical accounts. 

Books may be purchased via the CPC's home page, www.centralpaconservancy.org, by following the PayPal links. Book proceeds will be dedicated to CPC's acquisition and restoration of the 30-acre headwater property on the east branch of the Letort Spring Run. We thank many of our partners and donors who have helped CPC in its efforts to date, including Dickinson College's Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring, Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited, Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited,  LeTort Regional Authority, Letort Trust, the Peck Charitable Fund, and supporters who have designated a gift toward this project or purchased a book. 
Cumberland County Approves Funds for CPC's acquisition of the 30-acre Letort Headwaters

We are delighted to announce that yesterday, the Cumberland County Commissioners formally approved a grant of $37,000 to CPC from the County's Land Partnerships Grant Program to support the purchase of the 30-acre headwater property on the east branch of the Letort Spring Run. These grant funds are critical to meeting the match requirement of a state grant program, for which a proposal is currently pending a decision in January 2016. Including this grant, a total of $65,000 has been raised from local funding sources toward a total acquisition budget of $315,000. Please see our website for more information on this initiative.
A team of wetland and stream restoration professionals and fisheries biologists visited the site in early December to provide recommendations on a restoration project there. A working group has been established to review and facilitate this process for CPC.

Ironmaster's Challenge 2016 Registration is Now Open--Register Today for an April 24th adventure!
 
We are pleased to announce the 7th annual Ironmaster's Challenge featuring two trail events: the 50K Ultra and the 15K TrekThe event will take place on Sunday, April 24, 2016These two trail routes will test hikers and trail runners of all experience levels. 

You can find the event registration online, as we partner once again with our region's premier professional timer Pretzel City Sports and Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club. Registration for the 50K Ultra is $65 before April 1st and $75 after. Registration for the 15K Challenge is $40 before April 1st and $50 after. Be sure to get your registration in early!
  
The 50K and 15K courses traverse rustic trails ranging from single track to jeep roads through a beautiful state forest, state park, and private game preserve. There are numerous scenic spots and vistas throughout the course. Trail maps and checkpoint locations are available on the event website. The event will feature an awards ceremony and celebratory finish line picnic.

If you don't want to break a sweat, but still want to be part of the fun, sign up to be a volunteer! Please visit the popular event Facebook Page for key information and updates.
U.S. Congress Makes Conservation Easement Tax Incentive Permanent 

In an effort long-awaited by the land trust community,the U.S. Senate acted in bi-partisan spirit last Friday, December 18th, to pass an omnibus bill that includes a provision to make the enhanced tax incentive for conservation easement donations permanent. This followed a vote in the House of 318-109 the day before. 

The incentive grants certain tax benefits to landowners who sign a conservation easement. A conservation easement donor may deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income in any year, over as many as 15 years. And, qualifying farmers may deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income. 

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) clarifies that conservation easements are, "private, voluntary agreements with local land trusts that permanently limit uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. Lands placed into conservation easements can continue to be farmed, hunted or used for other specified purposes. The lands also remain on county tax rolls, strengthening local economies." 

Russ Shay, the Director of Public Policy for the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) states that, "this legislation has been a priority for the Land Trust Alliance for a decade, and it represents a huge win for conservation, for landowners and for the land trust community. Once signed into law, the incentive will be applied retroactively to start Jan. 1, 2015."
 
The vote also reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund for three years and increased its funding from $306 million last year to $450 million this year.

More information on the new legislation can be found on PALTA's and LTA's websites:
http://conserveland.org/blog/congress-passes-easement-tax-incentive/

 
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On Behalf of the CPC Board and Staff,
Warm Wishes for a Joyous and Safe Holiday!

Thank you for your critical membership support that allows CPC to continue its 33-year mission of conserving natural resources in your region through land acquisition, conservation easements, education, and outreach.
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt organization as provided by IRS regulations. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free (within PA) 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.