The Land Trust Alliance

And Land Conservation in America

The Land Trust Alliance Works with over 1,600 land trusts in the

United States Utilizes conservation easements Advocates voluntary land preservation Promotes education and standards Provides resources Foundation is The Land Trust

What Is A Land Trust? First formed in late 1800’s Private, non-profit organizations Created to preserve and protect land Tax-exempt status allows for donations Creates public & private partnerships Utilizes conservation easements

The First Land TrustCharles Eliot(1859-1897)

Boston, MassachusettsFather of the

Land Trust Movement

Compared land held in trust to books in a library or paintings in a museum

Conservation Easements

Conservation Easements-BenefitsOwner

Tax Benefits Maintains Control Compensation while

keeping land through tax benefits or cash

Land Trusts

No management required

Less cost to acquire Easier to work with

owners who want to keep their land

Conservation Easements

Conservation Easements-ConsOwner

Restrictions in perpetuity required for tax benefit

Future income limits property value

IRS compliance/rules can be challenging

Land Trust Monitoring

requirements Future landowners

may not wish to honor easement

Current land use is not guaranteed

Types of Conservation Easements Agricultural Coastal Wetlands Historical Forest Open-space