What is a Conservation Easement?
A Conservation Easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of land in order to protect its conservation values. It is one of the most effective tools available for the permanent conservation of private lands resulting in millions of protected acres across the Unites States. Landowners continue to own and manage their land, and retain the right to sell the land or pass it on to future generations.
Conservation Easements don’t simply restrict what you can do on your land; they also establish a suite of customized Reserved Rights to provide compatible management and maintenance opportunities consistent with the protection of the property’s conservation resources and the landowner’s vision. Each Conservation Easement is expertly drafted by NALT’s experienced legal team to protect the Conservation Purposes and Values unique to your land.
Donated Conservation Easements may provide valuable tax benefits to landowner if it meets the requirements of federal law. It may lower your federal income tax, because you can claim the value of the easement as a tax-deductible charitable donation. It may also lower your state income tax, depending on your state laws.
NALT holds over 560 conservation easements all across the United States. Click the links in the bar above this article to learn more about some specific easement situations and applications.
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