The following is excerpted from Conservation Options A Landowner's Guide published by the Land Trust Alliance. Before making decisions regarding the protection of your land, you should give careful consideration to the special features of your property, your land conservation goals, your financial situation, and your family's needs and wishes. Here are a series of questions which you may find helpful in your deliberations. Conservation easement Legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency permanently limiting a property's uses. Land's conservation values protected by organization.
Owner continues to own, use, live on land.
Outright land donation Land is donated to land trust or agency. Organization owns and protects the land. Organization owns and protects land. Income tax deductions spread over several years. Land is donated to land trust or agency at death.