The land can be sold, donated, or passed on to heirs. With a conservation easement, the landowner gives up some of the rights associated with the land. A landowner might, for example, give up the right to subdivide the land but retain the right to graze cows. All future owners of the land will be bound by the terms of the easement. It is the land trust s perpetual responsibility to see that the terms of the easement are not violated.
Conservation easements are very flexible.
They are custom tailored for each situation. They do not require public access. These home sites can be sold to raise cash or given to heirs. Conservation easements have multiple tax benefits. If the easement meets the IRS requirements, an income tax deduction equal to the value of the land before the easement less the value of the land after the easement.