In a strong bipartisan action, the Senate voted 65-33 today to pass the bill that will make the tax incentive for conservation easement donations permanent.

I am asking you to make a very important phone call. A major tax package will come to the floor of the House this afternoon, and the Senate tomorrow. This bill would make permanent the enhanced federal tax incentive for donations of conservation easements.

Congressional leaders have announced a broad, year-end deal that will make permanent the enhanced incentive for donations of conservation easements! Additionally, the deal includes a brief but welcome reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund — setting the stage for important legislative action next year.

Recent letters to the editor in Utah and Oregon illustrate how the Alliance is helping land trusts across the nation use opinion pages to influence public policy.

The enhanced incentive for donations of conservation easements is very much alive and well in deadline negotiations on tax and spending issues now taking place in Washington. This could result in reinstating the incentive permanently — a top policy goal for the Alliance for the past decade.

Public-private partnerships are critical to the work of Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. The organization preserves Northern Virginia’s natural areas in part by helping Arlington County, Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria carry out the commitments to open space protection outlined in their comprehensive plans.

At the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, we aren’t developing the latest iPhone apps. We can’t give you tasting notes on local craft beers. And we definitely aren’t touting ways to trim that stubborn belly fat with the latest workout craze. Our work isn’t trendy. And that’s OK by us. Our work aims to meet a particular, timeless need: our community’s need for space.

On this global day dedicated to giving back, we invite you to help save the special places you need and love by supporting the Land Trust Alliance.