The organization must be able to guarantee that the land will be protected in the way the owner envisions. To do so, it must raise funds or establish an endowment to cover the future cost of monitoring easements in its care. A land trust may acquire land as well as conservation easements. In other cases, a trust may purchase particularly critical properties. A trust may also purchase conservation easements from landowners, or assist with legal costs when needed.
Some land trusts are also involved in conservation education and related activities.
One of the oldest and most active land trusts in our region is the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, which was organized more than two decades ago to preserve critical areas of Roan Mountain. Today, the Conservancy is looking at ways to expand its services in the Appalachians. The local land trust interest group has naturally focused much attention on the Little Tennessee River and its watershed because of the importance of this natural resource to recreation, wildlife habitat, water quality and scenic values. Important historical and archaeological sites along the river also warrant preservation. Conservation easements could be a useful way to protect the river corridor while preserving private property and providing benefits to landowners.