Conservation

Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations

A prominent aspect of Kerry Mormann & Associates is our expertise in land conservation. Santa Barbara and the surrounding counties pride themselves on their reverence and care for open spaces, natural resources and agricultural land for people and wildlife. This specific community character trait is what makes this area such a desirable place to live and invest.

Through Conservation Easements, landowners are given the opportunity to receive substantial tax benefits and carry a legacy of land stewardship in Central California. Per the Santa Barbara Land Trust:

Conservation Easements are negotiated legal agreements that leave land in private ownership, available for agricultural and/or residential use by the Owner. Each easement is unique to the property, and the terms are negotiated privately between the owner and organizations like the Santa Barbara Land Trust. The easement protects identified conservation values of the property – such as productive agriculture, wildlife corridors, scenic views or historic buildings – and generally limits subdivision and development to an agreed upon number of homes.

Conservation easements allow the owner to benefit now from the market value of their land, by giving up rights to subdivide and develop it in exchange for income and estate tax benefits or grant payments. Landowners often use the tax savings or grant payments to settle estates, cash out family or partnership interests, make improvements to their ranch or farm, buy additional land, or a life insurance policy to benefit their heirs.

Our Director, Kerry Mormann, has nearly 50 years of experience in his relationship with the area’s land and agricultural communities. Kerry has served on the Advisory Council for the Santa Barbara Land Trust for many years, and previously served as one of their Directors for four years.

A purveyor of Santa Barbara lifestyle, Kerry is the region’s expert in helping clients cultivate their vision for the open spaces they seek, in addition to ensuring that the integrity of a Seller’s land is preserved for future generations. Although an advocate for conservation, Kerry is a firm believer in inherent property rights. Many clients are wary of the term “easement”. Kerry prefers to call this an agreement to preserve open space, habitat and agriculture. The owner still maintains control of the property and most of the rights that zoning allows. There is no public access unless granted in the agreement. This can very much be a win-win situation for all involved.