The easement is given to a conservation organization which has the responsibility to monitor the property to ensure that the terms of the easement are met. Fair Market Purchase Land trusts with sufficient resources are able to purchase land on the open market. This is necessary when an owner is unable or unwilling to donate the property, to sell it in a bargain sale, or to give a conservation easement. Bequest Landowner retains ownership until death. The property then passes to the land trust.
Some owners are willing to donate their property but wish to retain use during their life.
Donation while retaining a life estate enables them to remain on the property for as long as they want. This is the circumstance in which a property received as a gift by the land trust is exchanged for another piece of land. Generally, this is land with very little conservation value that is exchanged for land that is worthy of protection. The land trust acquires and holds the property until the public agency is ready to purchase it from the land trust. The land trust acquires and holds property until another non-profit has been established or is able to finance acquisition.