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Women Build Event 2007

Spirit of the Land 2007

Spirit of the Land 2006

Hands On Athens

The 11th annual Hands on Athens took place on March 30, 31, and April 1, 2007. The Hands on Athens project founded in 1999 by the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation and the Athens Land Trust to help restore the historic Hancock Corridor. Homeowners who meet the requirements of being low-income, owning a property that is at least fifty years old, and occupying their property apply for restoration work. Materials are either donated or purchased with donated funds, and labor is provided by hard-working, dedicated volunteers. The project has become a true community-wide effort, with the steering committee comprised of representatives from twelve community-minded organizations and by expanding the reach of the program into the East Athens neighborhoods. For the past few years, ALT members George Wright, Neal Anderson, and Al Pless have worked behind the scenes in the months leading up to the event to help identify qualified homeowners, evaluating the needs of each site, recruiting house captains, and procuring materials to repair and revitalize the outside of these lower-income residents' homes. This year ALT worked on Julia Jones’ house on Magnolia Avenue.

For additional information contact the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation at www.achfonline.org.

Georgia Land Conservation Council Awards Grant

On September 11, 2007, the Georgia Land Conservation Council voted to award a grant of $120,000 toward the purchase an agricultural easement on 50 acres in Walton County. The acreage is part of a farm owned by Dale Wiley, who is also donating an easement on 110 acres. ALT received funding in the amount of $150,000 from the Natural Resource Conservation Service in June 2007, to pay for a portion of the easement. Located near Social Circle in Walton County, the two conservation easements will protect 160 acres on a working cattle ranch and farm. Protection of this property will preserve land near Lake Varner within the Cornish Creek Watershed which serves as the primary drinking water source for Walton and Newton Counties. The property also contains a small pond with a wading bird habitat as well as the 1843 gravesite of Susannah Huff, widow of a revolutionary war veteran.

Please see this PDF from glcp.georgia.gov for more information.

New Federal & State Laws Give Better Tax Break for Donation of Conservation Easements

Congress recently passed a law to enhance the tax benefits of protecting land by donating a voluntary conservation easement. If you own land with important natural or historic resources, donating a voluntary conservation easement can be one of the smartest ways to conserve the land you love and protect America’s natural heritage, while maintaining your private property rights and possibly realizing significant federal tax benefits. Georgia also has a new state tax credit program that supports conservation efforts.

Click here to learn more. (pdf)

THE ATHENS LAND TRUST ANNUAL MEETING
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2007
3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
861 & 865 WADDELL STREET, ATHENS

Please join us for a tour of two of ALT’s most recent rehab projects. 861 & 865 Waddell were the most dilapidated houses that ALT has undertaken, and we would like for you to see them now as beautiful energy-efficient homes. Board member elections will be held and we will give an update on ALT accomplishments during the past year. There will be refreshments and door prizes to give away. We look forward to seeing you there.

Directions from downtown Athens:
- Head west on Broad Street
- Turn left onto Rocksprings Street
- Then take the first right onto Waddell Street.
The home sites will be on your left just past Dallas Street. Parking is available just before the houses, 2 doors away in the AHA parking lot on the left

Alec Little Award

The 10th Annual Alec Little Award was presented to ALT and three of its long-time members, Laura Hall Gabriel, Nancy Stangle, and Skipper StipeMaas. The Award was established in 1992 to recognize individuals and organizations for environmental responsibility in Northeast Georgia. The Award was presented on April 19, 2002.

True Relief with U.S. Taxes: T.R.U.S.T.