The valuation of conservation easements has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. The Internal Revenue Service has an obvious concern over its impact on tax receipts and Congress has focused on perceived abuses in the tax treatment of gifts of conservation easements. In addition, many state agencies have raised similar concerns at a state level. Valuation of Conservation Easements is an intense, advanced level educational endeavor dealing with one of the most controversial and scrutinized topics in valuation. It is designed for general certified appraisers who understand the methodology in the approaches to value and are ready to embark on understanding the intricacies involved in an often misunderstood and difficult type of appraisal.

This advanced program will expose the participants to how broad the valuation of conservation easement really is, so the participants will learn that there are different approaches, solutions, and regulations in different areas of the country and for different clients. Participants will need to be exposed to a number of different properties so that they will have the competency knowledge of conservation easements. In particular, this course will focus on the valuation methodologies and techniques used in appraising conservation easements, as well as the regulatory framework within which conservation easements are traded.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the methodologies and techniques commonly used in valuing conservation easements.
• Grasp state, federal, and IRS regulations and requirements relating to conservation easements.
• Understand the range of assignments that are common in valuing conservation easements.
• Develop an effective scope of work for a conservation easement valuation assignment, apply concepts of highest and best use analysis to that assignment.
• Utilize a range of techniques to effectively carry out a conservation easement valuation.
• Identify the unique issues that may apply to conservation easements and complete the assignment(s) in accordance with the various state and federal agency requirements.
• Those participants that successfully pass the examination will be given a Certificate of Completion. This will allow the participants to provide evidence of education in this specialized topic to potential employers.

AICP members may be able to earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. Visit www.planning.org/cm for a list of approved offerings.