Celebrate “Make-a-Will” Month by Leaving a Legacy of Conservation
August is “Make-a-Will” Month, the perfect time to reflect on how we can leave a lasting impact on our local community. One profound way to ensure your legacy endures is by supporting the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT) through your estate plans. By arranging a bequest in your will or trust in support of BTLT or designating BTLT as a beneficiary of a percentage of your retirement assets or naming BTLT as a successor-in-interest on your donor-advised fund, you can help to continue our vital work in land conservation, environmental education, stewardship, and local agriculture, ensuring that future generations will enjoy the natural beauty, environmental opportunities, and ecological diversity of our region. Leaving a legacy gift to BTLT will help to:
1. Preserve Local Wildlife and Habitats
Your gift will help us protect critical habitats for local wildlife, including deer, foxes, otters, skunks, and countless other species. By conserving these areas, we ensure that these creatures have a safe place to thrive.
2. Safeguard Unique Ecosystems
BTLT’s work encompasses a variety of unique ecosystems, from salt marshes and river frontages to imperiled sand plain grasslands. Your support helps preserve these vital environments, maintaining the ecological balance and natural beauty of our region.
3. Provide Community Spaces for Recreation and Education
From CREA Camp at the Cathance River Nature Preserve, to Wood Walks at Woodward Point Preserve, to the quiet peace of walking the Labyrinth in the Woods at Crystal Spring Farm, our conserved lands offer numerous opportunities for exploration, exercise, and environmental education, all integral to community well-being. Your legacy gift ensures these resources remain available and accessible for everyone.
4. Ensure Long-Term Conservation Commitments
Land conservation is a promise to future generations. Your bequest will enable BTLT to uphold these long-term commitments, ensuring that the lands we protect today remain preserved and cared for in perpetuity.
5. Respond to Future Community Needs
By including BTLT in your will, you help us remain agile and responsive to future challenges and opportunities. Your support provides a financial foundation that allows us to address the “what ifs” that come with evolving community and environmental needs.
How to Include BTLT in Your Will
Including BTLT in your will is straightforward. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other bequests are made. Here are a few steps to get started:
- Consult with Your Attorney: Discuss your plans with your attorney to ensure your wishes are clearly articulated and legally sound.
- Use Online Estate Planning Tools: There are various online tools available that can help you draft your will.
- Explore Our Resources: Visit our website for sample language to include in your will and information on other planned giving options, such as naming BTLT as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or investment account.
Let Us Thank You
If you’ve already included BTLT in your estate plans, we’d love to know. Sharing your intentions allows us to ensure your wishes are understood and to express our gratitude for your incredible support.
This “Make-a-Will” Month, consider the lasting impact you can have on our community and natural world. A planned gift to BTLT is a powerful way to continue your commitment to conservation and ensure a vibrant, healthy environment for generations to come. Thank you for considering this meaningful way to support our mission.
