A Lasting Gift for Tug Hill’s Future

This is a unique opportunity for our supporters to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the future of our region’s cherished landscapes.

This initiative, generously supported by Bob and Carol Keller, offers an exciting incentive: for every new commitment to include the Land Trust in your will, the Kellers will contribute a $1,000 gift to the Land Trust, up to a total of $10,000.

What Is the Legacy Challenge?

The Legacy Challenge encourages individuals to create a bequest in their will that includes Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust. Whether large or small, these gifts help safeguard the land, wildlife, and natural resources of Tug Hill for future generations to enjoy. By participating in this program, you’re not only leaving a personal legacy but also unlocking immediate support through the Kellers’ generous challenge gift.

Honoring Past Supporters

If you have already included Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust in your will, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks.

To recognize this commitment, Bob and Carol Keller will make a one-time gift of $2,500 to honor those who have previously pledged their support. If you're one of these legacy donors, expect to hear from us soon so we can express our gratitude and keep you updated on the important work your gift will support.

How to Participate

Participating in the Legacy Challenge is simple. All it requires is completing a short form to notify the Land Trust of your legacy gift. This form helps us track where your will is filed, and who your executor or attorney is, should we need to follow up in the future. We do encourage you to share the relevant portion of your will to ensure that all the details—such as our address and federal ID number—are correct. Your information will be held strictly confidential.

Additionally, we will stay in touch with all legacy donors, ensuring regular communication to express our gratitude and keep you updated on our work. These conversations are key, as we understand that estate plans can change, and we want to ensure that your gift aligns with the areas of our work that mean the most to you.

This two-year challenge program, running now through 2026, encourages donors to act now, rather than putting off these important decisions. Making a bequest is a straightforward and meaningful way to contribute to a cause you care deeply about.

It’s also a flexible form of giving—you can adjust the details over time, and it allows you to make a lasting contribution without affecting your current financial situation.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Legacy Challenge, please call us at 315-779-8240 or email us at [email protected].

Together, we can create a lasting legacy of conservation for Tug Hill Tomorrow!

Planned Giving

Making a gift in your Will

The soft touch of a butterfly, the gentle nudge of a calf, or the smile on a child’s face after seeing their first owl; fleeting moments that we remember for a lifetime.

You can support Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust in a lasting and meaningful way by leaving a gift through your will. Your passion for Tug Hill can live on by helping conserve farms and woodlands, protect wildlife habitat, and inspire young people to step away from their screens and experience nature in a way that creates a lifelong connection to the land.

Join a growing number of people who are ensuring the future of Tug Hill. Your gift will conserve farms and forests and change the lives of many for generations to come. Making a gift in your will is easy to do and will allow you to take care of friends, family and the lands you love in Tug Hill.

The Legacy Challenge

Now through 2026, Bob and Carol Keller are helping inspire future conservation in Tug Hill through the Legacy Challenge. For every new commitment to include Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust in your will, the Keller's will make a $1,000 gift to the Land Trust, up to $10,000.

A gift through your will, large or small, can help conserve farms, forests, wildlife habitat, and outdoor experiences for future generations while creating a lasting legacy of your own.

Already included Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust in your estate plans? We would love the opportunity to thank you for your commitment, learn more about the impact you hope to make, and keep you updated on the conservation work your future gift will help support. If you have already made a legacy gift, we encourage you to let us know so we can properly recognize your generosity and ensure your wishes are understood

Learn more about the Legacy Challenge and how to participate.

How to get started

Please fill out this form, providing as much information as your comfortable with and mail it to

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust
120 Washington Street
Suite 510
Watertown, NY 13601

Or choose to submit form online

Once your form is received, a representative from the Land Trust will contact you.

Why people choose to make a bequest

It is not payable until death, so it does not affect your assets or cash flow during your lifetime.
It is revocable – you can change the provisions in your will or trust at any time, and
It is private – your will is not filed or made public until your death. Should your circumstances change, you can change your will at any time.

Let us know about your designation in your will so that we can thank you, as well.

Tax benefits

Depending on the size of your estate, and if it is subject to estate taxes, your gift could help lower your taxable estate. You won’t receive tax benefits during your lifetime if you make a gift via your Will.
To receive tax benefits during your lifetime you would donate a gift of cash, stock, or life estate.

Questions?

Feel free to call Heidi Sourwine, Executive Director, at (315) 779-8240 or email her at [email protected].

an adult holding a seedling with a child touching it