Mississippi consistently ranks among the top five most charitable states in the United States. Our generosity is fueled by a desire to make a difference, despite the state’s position as one of the poorest in the nation.
More people are concerned about the environment than ever before. People want to do what is best, yet they are not necessarily familiar with the best course of action. There is a belief that “letting nature take its course” with no human interference is the best philosophy for managing natural resources. Many people call this way of thinking “conservation,” though it is really “preservation.” Throughout history, it has been proven that our natural resources–clean water, clean air, healthy soil–must be conserved.
President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech in Kansas in 1910. First, he said, “Conservation means development as much as it does protection. I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.”
Roosevelt recognized the need to conserve natural resources because he saw a need for them. For example, he saw that we needed wood for a growing nation and trees for wildlife. He did not want to waste resources, renewable or not.
One such way of doing your part in conserving our natural resources is by thoughtful giving to publicly supported, charitable, non-profit, conservation organizations. Well planned gifting may also help you to achieve your financial objectives and provide you with a feeling of personal satisfaction and the knowledge that you are helping to improve our environment for present and future generations.
There are many ways to support conservation. Gifts can be made during your lifetime or through a will. Gifts can be in the form of cash, securities, real estate, or other personal property in a variety of ways. Gifts can be in the form of a home, farm, or timberland, and the donor can retain the use of it, such as hunting or fishing, for the rest of his or her life.
There are different types of giving such as in the form of outright gifts or appreciated assets. With outright gifts, nothing is as simple and direct as writing a check or giving cash. Appreciated assets, such as stock, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate that have significantly increased in value can also be a very advantageous way of giving.
Whatever your interests in helping to conserve our natural resources, gifting can be a great way of doing your part. How you choose to give is best answered with the help of an experienced, professional advisor. Many factors will go into answering this question. However, no matter how you choose to support conservation, know that your efforts are very much appreciated.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a nonprofit conservation organization founded to conserve, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
