For many new landowners, the term "conservation easement" might be unfamiliar, but understanding it could unlock valuable opportunities for protecting, managing, or even financially benefiting from your land. Whether you're looking to preserve a forest, restore native grasslands, or simply understand your options, a conservation easement can provide a pathway for lasting land stewardship.
What is a Conservation Easement?
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or conservation organization that places specific land-use restrictions to protect its environmental or agricultural value. In exchange for preserving part of your land, you might receive tax benefits or financial incentives, especially if you enroll in government-backed programs. Easements are often long-term contracts or permanent, meaning future owners must honor these commitments, ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
Why Conservation Easements Matter
Conservation easements are vital for conserving habitats, water quality, open spaces, and productive agricultural lands. For landowners, an easement offers a way to align with personal values of conservation and may provide financial advantages, like tax deductions or payments. Easements can also enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of land, which can indirectly support property values in some areas.
Common Types of Conservation Easements
Here’s an overview of common conservation easement types you might encounter on AcreValue. AcreValue’s map layer includes data from the National Conservation Easement Database (NCED) , a national repository for conservation easement data.
Agricultural Conservation Easements
These easements protect land for farming or ranching by limiting development. They support the preservation of prime farmland and may include restrictions that encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
- Example Program: The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) funds conservation easements on farms and ranches to help ensure that valuable agricultural lands remain dedicated to farming and ranching.
Land Trust and Habitat Easements
Local and regional land trusts place conservation easements to protect ecologically valuable landscapes, wildlife habitats, and scenic areas, often including forests, grasslands, and native habitats. These easements may involve prohibiting development, managing invasive species, and restoring native vegetation to promote biodiversity.
- Example Program: The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) supports habitat conservation by encouraging landowners to convert environmentally sensitive farmland into resource-conserving uses, reducing soil erosion, and providing wildlife habitats.
Wetland and Stream Easements
Certain easements focus on protecting wetlands, stream buffers, and riparian zones to prevent disturbances in these sensitive areas, which play a vital role in water filtration, flood control, and habitat support.
- Example Program: The Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE) establishes floodplain easements for flood control, and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) offers funding for landowners to restore and conserve wetlands to protect water quality and provide wildlife habitats.
Recreational and Public Access Easements
Some conservation easements allow limited public access for recreational activities like hiking or birdwatching, fostering community enjoyment of natural spaces while preserving the ecological value of the land.
- Example Program: The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) supports conservation easements that protect forested areas, often allowing public recreation while preserving the natural environment.
How to Use AcreValue to Explore Easements on Your Land
AcreValue makes it easy to visualize existing conservation easements on your property or in surrounding areas. By turning on the Easements map layer, you can see what areas are protected and find details on specific easements. The Easements map layer is particularly helpful for new landowners who want to verify any existing easements.
- Log in to AcreValue: Ensure you are logged into your AcreValue account.
- Navigate to the map: Go to the map section of AcreValue.
- Open Map Layers menu: Locate the Map Layers menu at the top left corner of the map.
- Open Protected Lands dropdown: Within the Map Layers menu, find and select the Protected Lands dropdown menu.
- Select Easements: Select the Easements map layer, then pan, zoom, and explore the map to see the layer across your area of interest.
The Easements map layer is available to AcreValue customers holding a Plus or Enterprise subscription. Ready to get started? Purchase a subscription or contact AcreValue Sales about an Enterprise subscription.
Why Consider a Conservation Easement?
Conservation easements are ideal for landowners committed to conservation and can offer a legacy of protected landscapes. If you’re interested in an easement for your property, consult with a local land trust or conservation organization to understand the specific benefits and obligations.