Conservation Easements

Guides

Conservation Easement

A Property Rights Based Tool for Resource Protection

A conservation easement limits certain uses on a property in order to advance specified conservation purposes while keeping the land in the owner’s ownership and control.

Last Modified
May 12, 2022
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Conservation Easements

An Introduction for Private Landowners

A conservation easement limits certain uses of the land in order to advance one or more conservation objectives while keeping the land in the owner’s control. It is established by mutual agreement of a landowner and a private land trust or government.

Last Modified
Jun 13, 2023
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Costs of Conservation Easement Stewardship

The holder of a conservation easement must monitor the eased property to confirm compliance with conservation restrictions and, when necessary, take action to uphold the conservation objectives of the easement. These and other stewardship activities result in costs, year in and year out, to the holder.

Last Modified
Jul 25, 2017
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Farmland Preservation Options for Landowners

Government and Private Approaches to Conservation Easements in Pennsylvania

Fifty-eight Pennsylvania counties have agricultural land preservation boards that purchase agricultural conservation easements. Sixty-eight private, charitable land trusts accept donations of conservation easements or, less commonly, purchase them. These two paths to farmland preservation differ in many ways.

Last Modified
Feb 09, 2023
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22068 times

Federal Tax Deductibility of Conservation Easement Donations

Some donations of conservation easements qualify for a federal income tax deduction; others do not.

Last Modified
Feb 06, 2021
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30142 times

Recordkeeping for Conservation Easement Stewardship

Organizing essential documents in a secure, accessible system is a fundamental part of conservation easement stewardship. This guide describes the systems of 14 land trusts.

Last Modified
Nov 27, 2023
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39190 times

Riparian Buffer Protection Agreement

A riparian buffer protection agreement limits activities on all or a portion of a property to advance conservation purposes while keeping the property in the control of the landowner.

Last Modified
Oct 10, 2019
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22672 times

Who May Get Involved in Conservation Easement Management Matters?

A Consideration for Amendment of Pre-June 2001 Easements

Occasionally a land trust will seek to amend a conservation easement. More often, the owners of land subject to an easement will ask for an amendment. In any case, the issue of who can insert themselves into easement management matters can be compelling reason for the parties to agree to an amendment if the easement was created in Pennsylvania prior to June 22, 2001.

Last Modified
Oct 28, 2021
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1218 times

Working Forest Conservation Easement

A Property Rights-Based Tool for Conservation

A working forest conservation easement keeps forestland intact for timber production, providing support for rural economies. It is established by mutual agreement of a willing landowner and a private land trust or government. The conservation easement limits subdivision, development, and activities that would hinder the land’s capacity to grow trees for industry. If agreeable to the landowner, it can also be used to ensure recreational access for the public.

Last Modified
Jul 26, 2023
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2199 times

Your Loss Is Not My Benefit; Your Gain Is Not My Detriment

The Tenuous Link Between Value to Landowner and Value to Conservation in Easement Transactions

How does decrease or increase in market value of land resulting from establishing or amending an easement relate to the conservation easement’s value? What do we mean when we refer to “value”? This guide explores these questions

Last Modified
Nov 03, 2020
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1747 times