Often landowners are faced with the challenge of finding ways to provide for their retirement and for their heirs, while insuring that their land is kept in the family for future generations. Farmers, foresters and ranchers tend to have a lot of value sitting in real estate with limited revenue to support all of one’s family members. They often face pressure to sell off land to development.

If you are a landowner facing these issues, you can begin to learn about your options to conserve your land and to continue to provide for their families financially. Please look over these initial links for getting started and contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Do You Own Land?
  Do you own land that you would like to see remain free from development--for your lifetime and for future generations?
  
  Doing nothing to protect it may doom your land to development. Why? Estate taxes are one reason. Federal taxes can be as high as 55% of a property's fair market value, virtually forcing heirs to sell it. And, of course, future owners may be compelled by ever-increasing property values--or simply by a lack of appreciation for the land--to sell it for development. Read More...


• Frequently Asked Questions about Land Trusts


• Frequently Asked Questions about Land Protection


• Main Steps for Forming a Conservation Easement
  A conservation easement represents a partnership between the landowner and the
  land trust holding the easement. Take time to identify a suitable land trust to hold the
  conservation easement. Be sure that the organization’s mission and easement acceptance
  criteria fit with your own objectives for the future of the property. It is important that you
  are comfortable with the organization you select. Read More...


• Conservation Options
  A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land to protect its conservation values. It allows you to continue to own and use your land and to sell it or pass it on to heirs.
  
  When you donate a conservation easement to a land trust, you give up some of the rights associated with the land. For example, you might give up the right to subdivide or develop the land, while retaining the right to grow crops. Future owners also will be bound by the easement's terms. The land trust is responsible for making sure the easement's terms are followed. Read More...