The conservation organization then begins the perpetual responsibility of monitoring the property to ensure that restrictions are not violated by either present or future owners. Because land acquisition and management costs are so high, Maryland local land trusts are placing greater emphasis on the use of donated conservation easements. Owners of certain types of land, or land in designated areas, may also apply to sell easements to local, state and federal programs such as the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, the state's Rural Legacy Program and USDA's Forest Legacy Program. The majority of land trust conservation easements in Maryland are donated by property owners. At the same time, there are also tax advantages with conservation easement donations, for instance, a charitable deduction can be taken that is equal to the fair market value of the development rights surrendered.
Conservation easements are now at the forefront of techniques that land trusts use.
Government Interest Many local and state government agencies have recognized the limitations of zoning and public acquisition for protecting open space and natural areas - for this reason, they have been increasing financial support to land trusts to protect resources. In recent years, the Department of Natural Resources has shown increasing interest in local land trusts managing newly acquired state lands. The American Chestnut Land Trust, for example, manages DNR's Jett property in the Parkers Creek watershed. Some counties are investigating various mechanisms to encourage and assist local trust activity. Meanwhile, Montgomery, Harford and Anne Arundel counties have all passed property tax credit ordinances implementing the Conservation Lands law.