Planting Tomorrow’s Forests – Make a Will Month
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Now imagine your favorite tree. As a conservationist, you likely have one. Perhaps it’s the beautiful oak from your childhood, whose sturdy branches held your favorite swing. Maybe it’s the pine snag in your backyard, a nesting haven for Eastern Screech Owls. Or it could be the misshapen conifer at the top of your favorite hiking trail, weathered by generations of powerful winds, signaling that you’ve almost reached the summit. Our favorite trees are more than just individual components of a forest—they hold memories, nurture the next generation, and connect us to something larger. As conservationists, we understand the importance of planning for the literal forests of the future, but what about planting the metaphorical forests of tomorrow?
Just as trees lay down roots to sustain future growth, August’s “Make-a-Will Month” encourages us to plant the seeds of our legacy. This initiative is a reminder to plan for the future, ensuring that what we value most—our loved ones, our assets, our ideals—continues to thrive long after we’re gone. By creating a will, you are sowing the seeds of security and peace of mind, knowing that your intentions will be honored and your legacy preserved. Just as a forest stands as a testament to the care and foresight of those who came before, your will ensures your life’s work and values will continue to flourish for generations to come.
So why not continue that same foresight you have toward protecting conservation now and plan for the future? Because in the end, is it really all that different? If leaving a legacy related to wildland conservation is of interest to you, please consider including Conserving Carolina in your estate plans. This can be done in a variety of different ways and the list below illustrates some of the most common options for legacy and estate giving:
- Bequests
- Gifts of land outright
- Life estate, or a gift of land that you may continue to live on during your lifetime
- Make Conserving Carolina a beneficiary of your life insurance policy
- Make Conserving Carolina a beneficiary of your retirement account
- Life income gifts, or charitable remainder trusts, which can provide income for you during your lifetime
- Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other publicly traded securities
- Cash or check, in a donation that supports your overall estate planning
By leaving Conserving Carolina in your will, you would be joining over 100 households and individuals who have also decided to make a difference for conservation beyond their lifetime. You would now be a member of the Land Legacy League.
We are happy to talk with you, learn about your goals for your legacy gift, discuss your options, and share sample language you may use in your own will. If you would like to discuss your gift, please reach out to Planned Giving Officer Sierra Hoisington. Sierra can be reached at 828-697-5777 ext. 220. Or you can email her at sierra@conservingcarolina.org.
If you have already chosen to make a gift to Conserving Carolina in your estate, we would love to thank you for your generosity. Please fill out this form to let us know more about you and your gift.