Donating land for conservation purposes is one of the finest legacies you can leave for future generations. When working with the Bethel Land Trust (BLT), donors step through a sequential process that ensures clear communication and sets realistic expectations. We have developed this primer to acquaint you with the process and to answer questions about timeframe and costs.
A conservation easement allows landowners to protect the natural resources and preserve the scenic beauty of their property while retaining ownership. An easement is filed with the deed and spells out a landowner’s commitment to preserve and protect land conservation values of the property. An easement is either voluntarily donated or sold by the landowner to the land trust. It is a legally binding agreement that limits certain types of uses or prevents development from taking place on the land in perpetuity while the land remains in private hands.