Monday, June 16th

Session 2
1:30 - 4:30

In Wisconsin, land trusts, state agencies, and municipal programs use conservation easements to effect key land protection in our communities.  Easements are employed in estate planning, environmental protection, and conservation land use planning. 

Wisconsin land trusts hold over 400 conservation easements, protecting 35,000 acres in the state.  The State of Wisconsin holds over 2100 easements statewide, and municipalities from Bayfield to Dane Counties have instituted publicly supported purchase of development rights programs. 

Although they represent a tiny fraction of all parcels in the state, every Wisconsin assessor is likely to encounter conservation easements in their work.  This presentation will introduce conservation easements and discuss their use in the state and the challenges of evaluating their impact on market value.

Pam Foster Felt directs outreach and professional training programs for Gathering Waters Conservancy, a statewide organization promoting private land conservation.  She has conducted credentialed seminars about conservation easements for attorneys, appraisers, and assessors.  Ms. Felt also serves as a consultant and technical advisor to Wisconsin land owners and land trusts using conservation easements.  Before her work with Gathering Waters Conservancy, Pam’s career path included teaching high school, guiding mountaineering expeditions, and writing for 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and an MA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Dave Steiro is president of Steiro Appraisal Services Inc. based out of Green Bay Wisconsin.  Steiro Appraisal Service has seven staff appraisers and an administrative assistant serving Northern, Central and Northeastern Wisconsin.  They specialize in Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Governmental and Litigation appraisals.   

David received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Marion College of Fond du Lac.  He is a Certified General Appraiser having licenses in both Wisconsin and Michigan.  He currently is a General Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute, General Accredited Appraiser through the National Association of Realtors, a Candidate Member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and a member of the International Right of Way Association. 

Mr. Steiro specializes in easement appraisal work. His clients include the Wisconsin DNR and WIS-DOT, various Federal Governmental agencies, land trusts, along with attorneys and individual property owners.  He has taken several seminars and classes on the topic of Conservation Easements, most recently a week long class in Denver, Colorado put on by the Appraisal Institute.  He has also had the opportunity to assist in credentialed seminars about conservation easements for assessor training. 

Additional Info: http://www.steiroappraisal.com/