A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. Also known as a conservation restriction or conservation agreement, a conservation easement is one option to protect a property for future generations.

Benefits

• Conservation easements can be an effective tool to protect land, often at lower cost to land trusts and public agencies.

• A conservation easement is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency where the landowner retains many private property rights.

• If donated, conservation easements may provide valuable tax benefits to landowners.

• Conservation easements keep land in private ownership, and continuing to provide economic benefits to the area.

• Conservation easements do not automatically make properties open to the public.