What is a Conservation Easement?

Important in land preservation, conservation easements can be good tools. A conservation easement is a legally enforceable agreement that preserves some portion of open space on an individual's property to protect its natural, agricultural and scenic resources.

Conservation easements can be donated to qualified non-profit land trusts and government agencies who agree to monitor the land covered by the easement to ensure the easement is not violated. Easement donors continue to own their land and to control access to it; some conservation easements provide limited public access.

Landowners can receive a federal tax break for donating conservation easements and for selling easements at a bargain sale price - less than market value. Landowners receive a tax deduction for making what can amount to a substantial charitable gift in addition to the knowledge that they are protecting lands that have significant benefits to their community.