Conservation Tools
Landowners partner with Legacy Land Conservancy for a variety of reasons. We can help you choose a conservation tool based on your goals.
There are other approaches to land conservation in addition to the options below. Contact us to learn more about what's right for you.
Our Main Conservation Tools
Legacy typically protects land in two ways:
- Partnering with landowners to create a conservation easement
- Working with landowners to transfer ownership of their land to Legacy.
A conservation easement allows a landowner to retain ownership and management of their land.
When land ownership is transferred to Legacy, Legacy owns and manages the land, typically opening it up to the public as a nature preserve.
Conservation Easements
Our most commonly used tool, a conservation easement, is a legal agreement voluntarily placed between Legacy and a private landowner to permanently conserve the land. The agreement permanently limits the use of an area to protect its unique set of conservation values. Conservation easements are carefully tailored to a property’s characteristics and the landowner’s long-term vision.
Landowners retain ownership, and Legacy becomes a partner, making sure the terms set by the conservation easement are upheld now and always. Landowners can sell their land in the future or pass it on, but the conservation easement and its restrictions remain forever.
In some situations, Legacy may be able to purchase a conservation easement, though some landowners may be able and willing to donate the value of their conservation easement.
Nature Preserves
(Legacy-Owned Land)
Some landowners dream of their land being used for public enjoyment. When that’s the case, Legacy works closely with landowners to explore transferring ownership of the land to us either during their lifetime or through a planned gift.
When Legacy owns land, it is typically open to the public as a nature preserve. Legacy actively manages the land forever. We cannot sell the land to someone else or develop it.
In some situations, Legacy may be able to purchase land, though many of our public nature preserves have been generously donated.
Financial Benefits for Landowners
When you place a conservation easement on your property, you agree to limit certain rights in order to protect the land’s natural or agricultural values. In doing so, your property’s fair market value may be reduced.
Landowners can choose to receive direct financial compensation for that value—or waive compensation. This waived compensation is considered a donation, which may result in tax benefits. Landowners may also choose a combination of both compensation and donation, known as a bargain sale.
Transferring ownership of your land to Legacy to create a nature preserve may provide similar benefits.
Because Legacy is a qualified charitable organization, donating all or part of a conservation easement or gift of land may offer federal tax benefits. Legacy Land Conservancy does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Every situation is different, so talk with your tax, legal, and financial advisors to learn more.
Permanent Conservation Takes Time
Regardless of the tool you choose, a donation typically takes one to three years or more. A purchase can take three to five years, or longer, due to the larger fundraising requirements. Whether land is donated or purchased, unforeseen title and environmental issues can arise and may delay the process.
Our timeline may seem lengthy, but conserving land is a monumental decision. At Legacy, every project is unique and guided by our promise of forever. It’s a big commitment for landowners, and for us.
By moving with care and intention, we take each step to ensure outcomes that are both lasting and meaningful for everyone involved.
Explore Your Options
We’ve only listed two common ways we help landowners conserve their land. The list of options is long, and it even includes conserving your land through estate planning.
We want to work directly with you to structure a solution that helps bring your vision to life.
We will listen and provide thoughtful, personalized expertise to anyone with questions about land conservation. And if we’re not the right fit, we’ll connect you with another organization better suited to help you reach your conservation goals.