One of the most common and effective ways to protect land is through a conservation easement. This is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits certain uses of the land to preserve its conservation values.

Conservation easements are flexible while offering lasting protection against unwanted development. For instance, an easement on rare wildlife habitat may prohibit all building, while one on farmland may allow continued agricultural use and even new farm structures. Easements can apply to an entire property or just part of it, and they do not require public access.

While easements can be sold, most are generously donated. When a donation provides lasting public benefits by safeguarding important natural resources — and meets federal tax code requirements — it may qualify as a tax-deductible charitable contribution. The value of the donation equals the difference between the land’s worth with the easement and its worth without it. In some cases, placing an easement may also reduce property taxes.