Jae Haggard ~ Outland, New Mexico

We aMaizing Lesbians are so precious in our conscious living—the choices we make aligned with our values, our treasuring peace and social justice, our living harmoniously with the Earth, our respect for each other and all living beings.

Many of us are aging. Whatever our ages we ponder what will happen to our lands and homes when we are no longer there to care for them. We wonder what provisions we can make to assure that our land is cared for as well as that our own needs are met. We wonder what arrangements to make now and who to name in our wills to receive the resources we have gathered in our lives. Many of us prefer to donate or bequeath our resources to encourage the work of groups and projects that share our values and that we want to support, rather than leaving our resources to family or others with more mainstream values.

We wonder what are our options? What questions do we need to ask, what do we consider, how do we do it? Who can live on, protect and steward our lands? Who can make sure taxes are paid and buildings maintained? Who can hold title? How do we know that what we treasure is going into good hands?

WE&S offers a range of services to help preserve Lesbian lands—from need assessment to finding caretakers, to administrating to holding title, to.... We will gladly talk with you to help you determine the questions you need to ask yourselves to better understand your needs, desires and possibilities. We are  working with aMaizing wimmin in several states to help determine the best solutions to their needs and to passing their lands on to other women groups or to WE&S to administrate or hold for them.

This is vital and exciting work.  Would you like to work on this Project? We’d love to have you! We are still young and possibilities continue to grow and expand.

 

There are hundreds of Women’s Lands in the US and many in other countries. Some have provided homes to women and Lesbians for 4 decades, others are younger. Lands are close to town and remote. Are tenanted by both aging and young women. Are owned privately and as nonprofits/land trusts.

There are as many kinds of lands as there are lands. On each land women consciously choose the values that inform our lives and choose the ways to live those values. Ideally, we have as many lands as possible so each woman can find the land that best matches her values/needs and, as important, where she can contribute as is most nourishing to her.

Living and working in a range of neighborhood community to communal to intentional community environments, women have explored countless ways to learn better skills to live cooperatively, communicate, to make decisions and resolve problems and conflicts, to live in harmony with the Earth and neighbors.

We have a great base of wisdom and experience.  We have lands that are paid for and developed, lands that are caringly tended and gardens that produce abundance. We have friendship & ally relations with neighbors and activist groups. Our women’s lands are a connected Webwork, even though many women have not physically met.

Our lands provide spaces where women can come to learn, connect, celebrate, be with the Earth, to live and to die. We provide opportunities for women to expand and find more clarity about what we want in our lives and what we are each in this life to do to make a difference..

LLPP wants to make sure all of this is as much as possible preserved and passed on to succeeding generations. Our mission with this WE&S Project is to provide a wide range of services and options to help women get to land, remain on land, make provisions for themselves and their land to be taken care of both physically and legally, and pass their land onto like-minded women.

We will provide a range of information and options as well as referral to credible advisors as women make provisions for our lands when we are no longer capable or are unable to remain living there. Obviously, these decisions must be made in a timely way carefully and with caring. Obviously too the needs of and interests of the individual, her land as well as of WE&S and the women committing to do some part or all of the Administration must all be fully addressed and protected.

We have been asked to consider administering land to make sure that land needs are met, to assure on ongoing dependable presence of women on the land, to help organize the land as a home for aging women with a range of physical assistance needs, to accept and distribute designated funds to maintain the land as home to aging women and/or accept title.

We are currently exploring the range of questions that need to be addressed, the needs and wishes that need to be understood, the legal implications for everyone concerned, the wording and definition of terms that assure mutual understanding, the scope of responsibility and compensation, and the specific legal forms/contracts to make sure all interests are fully and fairly addressed. It is this kind of comprehensive service that is essential

We want to preserve and expand on the marvelous accomplishments and connections on each land. This is the inspiring scope and work of the Lesbian Land Preservation Project. Do you want to help?

 

Summary

What will happen to our lands when we die or can no longer care for them ourselves? The LLPP overall mission is to help us gain clarity about what we want to happen with our lands and then to help us find the tools and resources to make specific provisions for their perpetuity and preservation.

Who are we? Jae Haggard from Outland is Founder/Administrator of WE&S & LLPP. Bridget Uta from California is Co-Administrator. Nonprofit expert Elizabeth Martin from New Mexico is our volunteer attorney. Along with  past volunteer attorney Kitty Moss’ assistance, we have been exploring and creating the structures and programs to address our needs in preserving lands.

The LLPP is a program of Woman, Earth and Spirit, Inc, a 501(c)(3) that also sponsors Maize, the Landyke Documentary Media Project, our Landyke Library, Archives & Media Center, the Heartfull Giving Fund and other Projects to benefit Lesbians. Our primary focus and goals as defined so far:

 

1.  A structure to provide information and consultation to help women evaluate and understand our own unique needs and desires about our lands, homes or property.

For instance, do we want to remain in our homes for life or need someone else there? Are we concerned our assets might be taken by the government if we become ill and are we looking to protect assets by arranging a life estate and/or regular income for life? What or who do we want to preserve the land for and with what conditions? Etc

Once needs and desires are understood, the LLPP will try to provide consultation and information on a range of options to consider so we can make  informed decisions as we devise a plan that precisely meets our needs and situation. What are your physical and financial needs? Your partner’s? Your land’s?

Plus LLPP can provide a resource list of Lesbians to help plan, write the will, set up a nonprofit corporation or.... 

 

2. A bank of dependable women available to be on a land for days, weeks, seasons or even permanently—to landsit or help or become land stewards. With a selection process to help assure dependability and compatibility of both land owner and steward.

LLPP is compiling lists of A) wimmin wanting/needing short or long term caretakers, apprentices or residents who will steward the land or assume land ownership. Another list is B) wimmin wanting to be the landsitter or steward or…. To best match Wanting Women to Wanting Lands, these lists need to be somewhat ‘vetted’ to help assure that all parties are responsible. We are already helping facilitate this kind of match-up. A 3rd list will C) match wimmin with skills who are willing to travel with lands needing help. WE&S hopes one day to help subsidize these traveling wimmin with needed construction, repair, conflict resolution or other skills. Do you want to be a landsitter? Contact Jae.

 

3.  A fund and structure to pay the ongoing ‘official’ expenses—legal, tax and must-pay-or-endanger-the-land expenses. Probably funded by bequests from the owners.

 

4.  A maintenance fund and structure to help make sure that basic maintenance is done on each land—again probably paid for by owner donation or bequest. LLPP is not in a position to pay land expenses.

 

5.  A vehicle to hold title to land, if that is what wimmin need.

 

Another focus is to encourage and preserve our Landyke culture and creativity as well as our lands and homes. We work with the WE&S wonderful Library, Archives & Media Center. An Arts Center is still a vision.

 

Land Ownership and Preservation Resources Summary

 

As appears in this feature, Individuals have long been exploring legal options. You share some of your process and considerations. Several of you are talking together about possibilities. Ongoing, we will publish your thoughts, process and stories, as you send them. Some of your letters or postings are included here—Landdyke, Landdykes@yahoogroups.com or Maize, Maize@googlegroups.com. Knowledgeable Lesbians on the listserves offer information when a question is posted.

The LNR On Our Own Terms: Land Ownership & Transfer Booklet is a precious resource. It is a free gift to you from Lesbian Natural Resources. (~ See enclosed flyer. ~) LNR is revitalizing after some quiet years. It is another great organization to support with donations and bequests. To my understanding, they do not want to hold title to or to administrate land or buildings.

AccessAbility Alternatives is a wonderful tax-exempt nonprofit and can help you with a range of land care and preservation services (article pg 15 #96)

Bethroot Gwynn and the Lesbians of OWL Trust in Oregon have for many years given great thought to the advantages and challenges of being an umbrella to hold title to lands. Bethroot plans an article for the near future. She is really knowledgeable about nonprofit matters and offers advice if you write her via Maize.

Lesbians at Discovery Bay in Washington are researching and discussing options for land and resource preservation or transfer. They expect to finish their report this summer. We look forward to publishing their findings.

We at Woman, Earth & Spirit, Inc and our Lesbian Land Preservation Project will also work with you to help you determine what your needs are and how to best address them., as detailed above. We are honored to be named in some of your wills and equally honored to be working with several of you as you move through the process of insuring the best care, preservation or disposition of your land and resources and as you also make sure your needs and the needs of your partner(s) are met.

We would, of course, hugely appreciate your donations and bequests to support the work of WE&S and our many Projects that address the needs of Landykes and other Lesbians. 

 

Initial WE&S Letter to Land Owner 

Explore Needs, Preservation & Transfer Possibilities

 

Thank you for contacting us about the future of your land and your inquiry about a possible WE&S role as you prepare for a time when you are no longer able to care for or live on your land. I am sending a copy of your letter to Co-Administrator Bridget Uta and to our marvelous attorney, Elizabeth Martin.

Together we can explore assistance in gaining clarity about your wishes and needs, look at possible women who might be caretakers, become Stewards or even take over ownership, or consider WE&S as a vehicle to administrate or hold title to your land. We will assist as little or much as you wish, no obligations.

I hope this letter is helpful. Send me a list of any questions or ideas you have. Let me know what else we can do for you, how we can best help you address your needs. Let’s work together to find the best possible choices for you and your situation.

 

What We Understand

* You love your land with all its flora and fauna and want it protected as fully as possible in perpetuity.

*           You want assistance or support to understand and articulate your desires to protect your land as a nature and animal preserve, home to women, (or other intent) - and to determine steps to make sure your wishes are as much as possible honored.

*           You would like your land to continue as home to and to nourish the lives of women or Lesbians.

*           You do not want to bequeath your land, or all your assets, to family or others who do not share your values and priorities or to an organization (like The Nature Conservancy) that would likely trade or sell it.  You want your resources to benefit the individuals or groups you choose and trust.

*           You would like temporary help or a dependable longer term Steward for your land and buildings as you are no longer able to do all that is necessary—whether for a few days, seasons or more permanently.

*           You want to know what Woman, Earth and Spirit might offer you.

*           This letter is an ongoing working draft, a tool as we explore your needs and possibilities and our possibilities together. We want the best course of action for you and your situation and want to make sure WE&S can responsibly carry out any agreements. Other thoughts?    

 

Some Basic Principles

 

*           All of us working with WE&S want to do all we can to be of assistance. Your needs and interests must be understood and protected as fully as possible.

*           The needs of your land/home/farm and buildings, animals, art and writings, possessions, must be understood and protected as fully as possible.

*           The interests of WE&S and any other involved parties must be understood and protected as fully as possible.

*           Of course, we'd have to understand what your desires are, given a range of circumstances, for you to remain on the land, how to find and screen other women to be there as needed, how to transfer administrative responsibility or ownership when you are ready.

*           We wish to understand, help you understand, administrate or hold title or do whatever else is necessary to honor your needs and desires at every step—doing as much as and only as much as you wish and only when you wish.

*           During our process together, we will consult with our wonderful consultants and knowledgeable volunteer attorney/s. When we are ready, she can provide the language and documents needed to, if advisable, go to an attorney in your state to assure provisions of law there are met .

*           We can help you set up a nonprofit corporation in your state to assume ownership of your land. For a fee, we can significantly write the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws with and for you. We have written or helped write these documents for 4 Lesbian nonprofits in 3 states.

*           WE&S does not have the resources to assume your financial obligations: taxes, utilities, maintenance, administration or other expenses. You/we need to make provisions to meet all expenses ongoing. Ideally, contributions by new women stewarding the land cover expenses. WE&S cannot cover out-of-pocket financial expenses to evaluate your situation, such as travel expenses

*           If a lengthy or complex process, we will request a donation for our consultation with you. Any donation  is hugely helpful in making it possible for us to continue our work.

 

Land & Buildings

What We Understand of Your Situation ~ Do Please Elaborate or Change

*           You own your land outright with no mortgage or lien or you can make provisions for land payments. You have not made out or wish to change a will detailing arrangements for your belongings, art and writings, animals land, and/or assets, etc at your death.

*           You may want to preserve your Land/Farm as a nature sanctuary, not have it sold. You may also like your Land/Farm to house aging or other women who live in harmony with and care for the land.

*           You may want WE&S to administrate and/or hold title to your Land/house/property.

*           You want someone to make sure your wishes are honored and that land and buildings are cared for, plants and animals protected, and legal expenses such as taxes are taken care of responsibly.

What WE&S Can Perhaps Do for You ~ Consider What You Would Like

*           In consultation with you, help determine your needs and desires and prepare needed will, agreements, contracts and other documents to assure that both your and WE&S interests are addressed and protected. Offer you viable options that address your values, desires and needs.

*           We see LLPP offering a range of Consultation, Administration, Stewardship and ownership possibilities. This includes, but is not limited to, making sure the land/buildings are cared for by a dependable woman or group—honoring your wishes as closely as possible; making sure all legal matters like taxes are taken care of in a timely way and that the land is used or preserved as you desire.              

*           During this process, it is critical that we make sure you can remain on the land as long as you desire; and that you can continue to receive whatever income the land generates as long as you need or desire. Ditto for anyone you want to remain on the land with a Life Estate.

*           With you, do financial planning to assure that your Farm is stewarded, administrated, maintained and protected in perpetuity, honoring your wishes. You will need to make provisions to cover all expenses. I wish WE&S had the resources to do this, but we do not at this time.

*           If you wish, to disperse or sell your assets according to your wishes to use proceeds to further WE&S work or other groups/Projects of your choice. We can establish a Fund or Project in your name.

 

 

What WE&S Would Likely Need From You ~ Change or Add to this Draft at Will

 

*           Consultation and discussion to determine your Land needs and desires as well as the necessary provisions needed now or during changing future circumstances.

*           Consultation to determine your personal needs for remaining on the land, moving to another home, use of land income, etc. Determine how WE&S can facilitate any details and honor your wishes.

*           To protect everyone’s interests, clearly worded signed agreements that detail your wishes for your Land and yourself. These contracts would detail what you want/do not ant, will do/will not do as well as what WE&S will do/will not do.

*           Consultation to determine any agreements to make clear how you wish personal, land or consultation expenses to be covered.

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