Landowner Case Study: Peg Parker

Summary

• Project: Wood's Mill Bend
• Landowners: Peg Parker
• Transaction: Fee-simple donation of land
• Acres: 22
• County: Chatham
• Conservation Values for TLC: Protection of water quality, endangered species and a historic site in the Rocky River stream corridor
• Landowner Goals Met: Desire to preserve an undisturbed open space for other people, wildlife and plants; tax benefit

Background

Peg Parker knows that if you care for the land, you have to care for the land. After her husband passed away, Parker, a long-time TLC member and volunteer, approached TLC about taking ownership of Wood's Mill Bend, a natural sanctuary that her family had owned and enjoyed for 30 years. Parker wanted to be sure the property received the care and protection it deserved, while granting public access to the site.

Peg Parker on the Rocky River at Wood's Mill Bend.

Wood’s Mill Bend, located within the Hickory Mountain Township in Chatham County, is a 22-acre tract on the Rocky River, home to the endangered Cape Fear Shiner and several rare freshwater mussel species. The property also boasts the remnants of a historic 19th century mill race and pond, making it a wonderful place to commune with nature and history. "It is a beautiful place of water, land and animals," Parker says. "It's a wonderful place to get away from the hectic routine of life."

The Strategy

When Parker felt she could no longer take care of Wood's Mill Bend, she approached TLC as a possible owner and caretaker. TLC's evaluation identified the property as a Natural Heritage site harboring several endangered species, and TLC accepted the donation of property in August 2002.

Peg Parker's gift of Wood's Mill Bend is an example of an Outright Donation, in which a landowner makes an outright, fee-simple donation of land to a conservation organization. Once the land is donated, the conservation organization owns and manages the land, and it is permanently protected. This option provides the landowner with income and estate tax benefits.

Parker is confident that TLC will continue to preserve and protect the land for others to appreciate. "TLC is a wonderful organization and I knew by donating my land to them it would be taken care of," she says. "The TLC staff were terrific and very helpful in answering my questions and keeping the paperwork moving."

The Results

Today, Wood's Mill Bend is open to the public and offers a sanctuary for people and nature. "I am grateful for TLC’s protection of this special land as a preserved playground for other families, a haven for animals, trees and plants, and an undisturbed open space to experience and observe," Parker says.