Planned giving is a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy while supporting the future of the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center (NWDC). With thoughtful estate planning, you can ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, often with valuable tax benefits for you and your heirs.

We encourage you to consult with your attorney or financial advisor to determine the best-planned giving approach for your situation. If you’d like to discuss how your legacy can support NWDC, please contact us at development@hikeandlearn.org.

Why Make a Planned Gift?

• Maximize Tax Benefits – Planned gifts such as bequests, IRA distributions, Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA), and Charitable Remainder Trusts can provide significant tax advantages. For example, bequests are 100% tax-deductible from an estate, reducing potential estate taxes.
• Ensure Your Wishes Are Honored – You can direct your gift to support specific NWDC programs, general operations, or long-term sustainability.
• Support NWDC Without Affecting Your Current Finances – Most planned gifts take effect at the end of life, allowing you to continue enjoying your assets while securing a legacy for future generations.
• Provide NWDC With Long-Term Stability – Planned gifts strengthen our ability to offer wildlife rehabilitation, outdoor education, and land stewardship programs for years to come.
  
  

Ways to Make a Planned Gift

Bequests

A simple and popular way to leave a legacy is to include NWDC in your will or living trust. This ensures that your commitment to nature education and conservation continues long into the future.

Beneficiary Designations

Name NWDC as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, life insurance policy, or annuity assets to continue supporting conservation even beyond your lifetime. This is an easy way to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while potentially reducing estate taxes.