Private land whose development rights are held by someone other than the landowner, usually a government entity or a conservation organization.
A legal agreement allowing a landowner to transfer selected property rights to a land trust. The landowner retains title to the property. The easement becomes part of the land deed, meaning that all future property owners will be bound by the terms of the easement. (see title) [D-E
A conservation easement is a way for a landowner to permanently protect the environmental value of his or her land while continuing to own it. It is a legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or nonprofit organization that permanently limits development of the land. Even if an owner sells the land or passes it to his or her heirs, the conservation easement remains in effect. By donating a conservation easement, a landowner may qualify for a variety of tax incentives. These include reduced property and estate taxes, as well as having the easement classified as a charitable gift for income tax purposes.
Acquisition of rights and interest to a property to protect identified conservation or resource values, using a reserved interest deed. Since the mid 1970s, conservation easements have been purchased to protect nearly 420,000 acres of farmland in fifteen states, primarily in the Northeast.
A right which one person has relative to the land of another for the specific purpose of protection of property against loss, misuses, or waste, particularly in the modern sense of the term, natural resources, wildlife, and natural settings in mountains, rivers, lakes, prairies, etc. not inconsistent with general property rights of the owner.
A legally binding agreement on a parcel of land that typically prohibits development forever, depending on the terms of each easement. Not surprisingly, conservation easements almost always reduce the land's market value. In return, as with any other charitable contribution, the property owner gets federal and state income tax deductions and, in Virginia, a tax credit, all over a six-year period. Prospective conservation easements must undergo an appraisal that meets federal standards.
Legal tools by which a landowner voluntarily limits the uses of and rights to her/his property to preserve the natural values of the land.
A legally-binding agreement between a property owner and an organization such as a conservancy which protects natural resource values of the property by restricting selected uses. The property remains in private ownership and does not need to be opened to the public. Tax benefits may apply to the donor.
A legal agreement between a property owner and a conservation or government organization that protects the conservation value of the parcel by permanently limiting the uses and changes an owner may make. The conservation organization or agency agrees to monitor the property and enforce the restrictions.
a binding legal agreement which prevents future development and perpetually restricts the use of land to activities which do not degrade its resources
a deed restriction that allows the owner to maintain title while preventing further development or subdivision of ecologically valuable land
a deed restriction under which a property owner agrees to extinguish some or all development rights
a deed that specifies the types and locations of activities permitted on a particular parcel of land
a good idea for my land
a legal agreement, a deed restriction recorded at the county court house, that limits the development than can take place on that land
a legal agreement a landowner makes to limit the nature of future development
a legal agreement a property owner makes to restrict his property as to the type, amount and location of development that may take place on the property
a legal agreement a property owner makes to restrict the type and amount of development that may take place on his or her property
a legal agreement a willing property owner makes to restrict the type and amount of development that may take place on their land
a legal agreement between a landowner and a land conservancy that permanently limits the uses of the land in order to protect the natural resources and features from future development
a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust
a legal agreement between a land owner and a land trust or government agency which permanently restricts uses of land in order to protect its conservation or scenic values
a legal agreement between a land owner and a land trust or other qualified conservation organization in which the owner places permanent restrictions of the future uses of the property to protect scenic, wildlife, or agricultural resources
a legal agreement between a landowner and a public agency or conservation group to limit development on land
a legal agreement between a landowner and a third party ( e
a legal agreement between a landowner and either a not-for-profit land conservation organization or government entity that permanently protects the natural value of private property
a legal agreement between a landowner and land trust or conservation group that places permanent restrictions on the land use
a legal agreement between a landowner (the grantor) and a conservation organization or agency (the grantee) that separates the rights to exercise more intensive uses-such as construction, subdivision, and mining-from other rights of ownership
a legal agreement between a private landowner and the Inland Northwest Land Trust
a legal agreement between a property owner and a conservation organization, generally a private nonprofit land trust, that restricts the type and amount of development that can be undertaken on that property
a legal agreement between a property owner and a government agency or nonprofit organization according to which the property owner limits the activities that can take place on the property
a legal agreement between two parties that permanently limits use of a tract of land to protect its conservation values
a legal agreement between you and a land trust or conservation group which places restrictions on the land use in perpetuity
a legal agreement by which a landowner voluntarily restricts or limits the type and amount of development that may take place on his or her property
a legal agreement in which a landowner retains ownership of his or her property but conveys certain specifically identified interests to a land conservation organization or a public body (the 'easement holder')
a legal agreement in which the landowner retains ownership of their property, while giving up certain specific rights to another party who holds the easement
a legal agreement landowners use to permanently limit certain land uses on their property
a legal agreement permanently restricting the development of a piece of land
a legal agreement placed by a landowner that restricts certain future uses of a piece of property
a legal agreement that a landowner makes to limit the type and amount of development on his/her property
a legal agreement that allows landowners to deduct the developed value of the land from their taxes
a legal agreement that allows many of the priviledges of ownership but restricts, in perpetuity, the type and amount of development on the property
a legal agreement through which a landowner retains ownership of his property yet conveys certain specified rights to the holder of the easement
a legal agreement whereby landowners maintain ownership of the land
a legal agreement which can be used by landowners with forested wetland property that has unique or special natural features
a legal agreement which creates a private nature preserve or in some other way places a restriction upon the use of land which advances conservation goals
a legal contract between a land trust, a governmental entity, or other qualified organization and a willing landowner
a legal device by which a property owner gives to a public agency or a private foundation the right for all time to preserve and protect the property in question while the owner continues to remain on or have use of the land
a legal device that allows property owners to divide up the set of rights that their ownership entails
a legal document listing a number of restrictions a landowner wishes to place on their land
a legal document of a dozen pages or more, and even the most conscientious landowner may have difficulty remembering the meaning of certain easement provisions
a legal document that forever restricts development and land use
a legal document that is registered on your land title (e
a legal document that permanently restricts the use and development of a property
a legal document that provides permanent protection for the conservation of land
a legal document that restricts development on a site in order to protect open space and natural features
a legal document that will impose restrictions on your land permanently
a legal document through which a property owner voluntarily gives up the right to undertake certain activities on his land in perpetuity
a legal document whereby a landowner voluntarily agrees to permanently restrict the use of land to protect natural resources, wildlife habitat, agricultural operations, scenic views, or other unique features
a legal document where the landowner sells the property development rights to the state for perpetuity, or forever
a legal document which is attached to a title deed to protect the property from future development
a legal instrument that prevents the development of a property while keeping it in private hands
a legal instrument used to permanently restrict development and maintain conservation values on property that has ecological significance
a legal land use agreement which permanently protects special features such as scenic areas, wildlife habitat, undeveloped shore frontage and productive forest lands
a legally bincing set of conditions placed on land that dictates how property can and cannot be developed
a legally binding agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization that limits some or all development on the property while leaving the land in private ownership
a legally binding agreement between a property owner and a second party (the easement holder) that restricts the type and amount of development and use that may take place on the property
a legally binding agreement between you (the seller) and the buyer (e
a legally binding agreement by which a landowner restricts the future use of his or her property
a legally binding, but voluntary, agreement which permanently limits certain types of development or uses from taking place on a piece of property
a legally recorded agreement by which landowners may voluntarily restrict the use of their land
a legal means by which a landowner can voluntarily set permanent limitations on the future use of the land, thus protecting the land's natural qualities
a legal tool by which you voluntarily relinquish some of those rights, while retaining title to the land
a legal transfer in which the owner of land conveys to a governmental entity or charitable organization ("The Holder") certain rights to be enforced for the public benefit
a legal transfer of limited land use rights from a private landowner to a nonprofit conservation organization or government agency
a legal transfer of right to use all or part of a property for a certain purpose
a method by which a landowner transfers away the ability to develop the property in certain ways
an agreement between a landowner and a private organization or land trust such as NPAT
an agreement between a landowner and NAPA that allows the grantor to retain title to a piece of land while limiting future development and ensuring that the land will remain in a natural state
an agreement by which a landowner permanently restricts what can be done with his or her property
an agreement by which a landowner voluntarily transfers land use rights to a qualifying agency that will protect the land's natural resources
an agreement to preserve land in perpetuity by limiting the activities that can occur on the property
an easement created in order to keep a piece of property from further development
an excellent tool for permanently protecting your land while retaining ownership
an individual agreement between a landowner and a government or non-profit entity that preserves the land in perpetuity
an interest in land
an irrevocable, permanent restriction
a nonpossessory interest of a holder in real property imposing limitations or affirmative obligations on the use of the property
an option for any landowner whose land contains conservation value
a partial interest owned by the land trust that runs with the land, regardless of who owns it
a permanent and legally enforceable agreement between a landowner and a land trust
a permanent commitment by a landowner to keep his or her property open and undeveloped
a permanent legal transfer of the right to develop land to a party that promises to hold it and maintain it according to the conditions set out in the easement
a permanent protection that a landowner voluntarily decides to place on his or her property to limit future subdivision and development
a perpetual legal agreement a landowner makes with a land trust and/or government agency to restrict development and uses of the property
a popular and effective way for landowners to preserve the natural beauty of their property
a private land use restriction entered into voluntarily for the purpose of preserving open space, important environmental resources and significant historic, scenic or architectural conditions
a recorded document that runs with the deed and restricts the use of the
a restriction landowners voluntarily place on specified uses of their property to protect natural, productive or cultural features
a restriction on the use of a parcel of land that remains in place permanently
a restriction placed on a piece of property to protect its associated resources
a restriction placed on a piece of property to protect the resources associated with the parcel
a restriction placed on land to protect natural features such as, streams, wetlands, forest, individual trees and steep slopes, or to preserve natural areas which provide buffers from neighboring lots or noise sources
a set of restrictions a landowner voluntarily places on his or her property in order to preserve its conservation values
a simple legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or a non-profit conservation
a tailor-made agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization whereby the landowner conveys specified interests in land to the organization while retaining primary ownership
a tool for landowners to protect natural resources and preserve scenic open space
a tool that limits water use and development in an effort to protect the environment
a tool that protects open space without paying full market value for land and without taking the land completely off the tax rolls
a valuable and irrevocable charitable gift that will affect your property permanently
a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that protects the conservation values (e
a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a non-profit organization called a land trust
a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization or public entity to preserve land for agriculture or open space uses
a voluntary agreement between a private landowner and a municipal agency or qualified not-for-profit corporation to restrict the development, management, or use of the land
a voluntary agreement between you and a qualified conservation organization, such as the Natural Heritage Land Trust
a voluntary agreement for safeguarding what's important to you about your ranch, and guaranteeing the integrity of the rural landscape for all concerned
a voluntary agreement that allows a landowner to limit the type or amount of development on their property while retaining private ownership of the land
a voluntary agreement that is used to transfer certain rights concerning the use of land to a qualified nonprofit organization, governmental body, or other legal entity without transferring title to the land
a voluntary agreement that limits the uses of land in order to protect its conservation and/or historical value
a voluntary agreement to preserve land in perpetuity
a voluntary contract between a private landowner and a conservation organization, usually a land trust or land conservancy
a voluntary land-protection tool
a voluntary legal agreement a landowner makes to restrict the amount of development on their property forever
a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation agency
a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and the Land Trust that limits certain uses (usually subdivision and development) of the land in order to protect specific conservation values
a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and the Little Traverse Conservancy that restricts the type and amount of development on a property to protect its natural resources
a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and the OWLT that protects the conservation values of a piece of land by permanently limiting its present and future uses
a voluntary legal agreement entered into between the landowner and a qualified conservation organization such as The Northeast Regional Forest Foundation
a voluntary legal agreement, recorded with the deed, that restricts the type and amount of development that can take place on the land
a voluntary, legal agreement that landowners make to define the type and amount of development that can occur on their land, while protecting the underlying conservation values of the land
a voluntary legal agreement that restricts the development and future use of a piece of property in order to protect its conservation values
a voluntary, legally binding agreement between a landowner and a government agency or non-government conservation organization that keeps land in natural habitat, agricultural and/or open space uses
a voluntary, legally binding agreement that permanently limits certain types of uses or prevents development from taking place on a piece of property, while protecting the propertys ecological or open-space values
a voluntary, written agreement between a landowner and NCNR
a way for a landowner to voluntarily place permanent restrictions on the future use of the land, thereby protecting its particular natural attributes
a way for landowners to ensure that their land remains in its natural state while capitalizing on some of the land's potential development value
a way for the county to gain open space without having to spend taxpayer dollars in purchasing land
a wonderful option for many landowners, allowing them to keep their land in its natural state and to take advantage of substantial tax benefits
a written agreement between a landowner and a government agency or nonprofit conservation organization, such as CorLands
The landowner voluntarily sells and/or donates permanent legal restrictions on the property to limit or prohibit development. The land trust is the "
a legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization or agency, that permanently limits uses of the property to protect its significant natural features.
A restriction deeded to a qualified third party that permanently limits certain activities on real property, in order to protect conservation values such as biodiversity, water quality, wildlife habitat or carbon sequestration. The restriction stays with the property through successive owners. The restriction reduces the "highest and best" economic use of the property so that the property’s value reflects only the allowed uses. If the landowner donates the easement as a gift, this reduction in value becomes a charitable tax deduction. An easement also can be sold to non-profit or government agencies to provide revenue.
A legal agreement between a landowner and government entity or land trust that places limits on development of the land. Each conservation is individually crafted to reflect the special qualities of the land and the landowners desires for future use of the land. Term Acronym Source
An easement that grants a party certain rights to the land someone owns, such as development rights or subdivision rights; a legal agreement that permanently limits the uses of a parcel of land in order to protect its conservation or recreation values (City of Auburn 2003, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 2003).
a legal agreement between a property owner and a qualified conservation organization or agency that restricts the uses which may be made of the property. Most conservation easements limit or prohibit development of the land for commercial, industrial, and residential uses in perpetuity.
Easement restricting a landowner to land uses that that are compatible with long-term conservation and environmental values.
a statement attached to a property right - usually in the form of a land title, lease or permit - authorising a third party to use or enjoy attributes of biodiversity value for conservation purposes and requiring any person who acquires that right to allow that third party to continue to use or enjoy that attribute.
A legal document, entered into voluntarily, that permanently restricts the development of land.
Legal tool enabling purchase or donation of property for the purpose of preserving natural amenities.
A conservation easement is the legal instrument by which a landowner (a) limits, without relinquishing ownership, the development potential of property which has significant natural resource, open space or habitat value and (b) grants the right to conserve those values. A conservation easement runs with the land - that is, the original owner and all subsequent owners are bound by the restrictions of the easement. The executed easement document is recorded at the County Recorder's Office. This enables all future owners and lenders to learn about the restrictions when they obtain title reports.
A conservation easement is a voluntary restriction placed by a landowner on the use of his or her property to protect resources such as wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, natural areas, scenic views, historic structures, or open spaces. The landowner retains title to the property, and the easement is donated to a qualified conservation organization, such as a land trust, or a government agency.
A legal document that restricts the use of land to farming, open space, or wildlife habitat. A landowner may sell or donate an easement to a government agency or a private land trust. A conservation easement generally precludes future or additional development of the land. Enterprise Zone (EZ) An area in which economic development may be encouraged by incentives offered to businesses as inducements to locate or expand there.
A legal agreement between a property owner and a qualified land conservation organization, a conservation easement restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property. Each easement is tailored to the particular property and the needs and interests of the individual owner.
A restriction placed on real estate that limits or prohibits development and, thus, lowers the property's value. Conservation easements are often used to lower estate taxes on family real estate, thus allowing family members to retain ownership of the family farm or beach retreat when they might otherwise be forced to sell to cover the tax bill.
A legal mechanism whereby a landowner retains ownership of his/her land, but grants some right(s) to the land to a "holder" that is defined as a charitable organization declared exempt from taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C.A. § 501 (c) (3). The Code of Virginia, Virginia Conservation Easements Act, § 10.1-1900, authorizes these private, non-profit entities, such as land trusts, to hold easements when the entity has a primary purpose to retain or protect natural or open space, agricultural, forestal, recreational, or open space use; protect natural resources; maintain or enhance air or water quality; preserve historic, architectural or archaeological resources. [The Virginia Conservation Easement Act, Va. Code Ann. §§ 10.1-1009 through -1016 (Michie 1998)
In the United States, a conservation easement is an easement — a transfer of usage rights — which creates a legally enforceable land preservation agreement between a landowner and a municipality or a qualified land protection organization (often called a "land trust"), for the purposes of conservation. It restricts real estate development, commercial and industrial uses, and certain other activities on a property to a mutually agreed upon level.
