Land Conservation Options

A variety of options are available to meet your conservation objectives. Remember that landowners often use combinations of options to achieve specific goals. Your local land trust can describe the options in more detail and assist you in determining those that best meet your needs. This discussion outlines options based on whether or not your community wishes to retain ownership of the land.

Note that federal, state, and local funds are available for establishing partnerships at all levels of land conservation.

If You Want to Retain Ownership of the Land

If you want to protect the land permanently:

• A conservation restriction (CR) can control the ways the land can be used. The land trust receives the CR and enforces it, relieving the owner of that responsibility.
• If the land must be sold in the future, the conservation restriction will remain in effect.
• Under some circumstances a conservation restriction may have enough value for a land trust or municipal or state authority to offer compensation for it.

If you want only short-term protection:

• A license or lease to a land trust can restrict land use to specified conditions.
• A management agreement can allow a land trust to provide assistance in maintaining the special features of the land.
• Deed covenants and restrictions can offer some control of the use or development of land by future owners.

You Do Not Wish to Retain Ownership of the Land

If you need monetary compensation:

• All or part of the land can be sold at fair market value, even after a conservation restriction is in place.
• It may be possible for a land trust or conservation agency to purchase the land for a reduced price in exchange for assurance that the land will be conserved.

If you do not need monetary compensation:

• An outright donation of the land can be made to a land trust.

If you wish to limit the future uses of the property after it is sold:

• A conservation restriction on the land remains in effect after the land is sold.
• Deed Covenants and Restrictions can be added when the land is sold.
• Land can be donated to a land trust or conservation agency.