Through conservation easements, the Minnesota Land Trust works in partnership with interested landowners and communities across the state to preserve important natural and scenic resources by limiting the use and development of their land. Conservation easements offer landowners the opportunity to retain and enjoy their land while knowing it will be safeguarded for future generations.

• What is a conservation easement?
• What types of land can be protected through conservation easements?
• What restrictions are included in a conservation easement?
• What are the effects of a conservation easement on a landowner's property rights?
• What obligations come with a conservation easement?
• What are the benefits of a conservation easement?

What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a set of restrictions a landowner voluntarily places on his or her property in order to preserve its conservation values. The conservation values of the property and the restrictions created to preserve those values, along with the rights reserved by the landowner, are detailed in a legal document known as a conservation easement. This document is filed with the local county land records.

A conservation easement is conveyed to a government agency or nonprofit conservation organization qualified to hold and enforce easements. Most conservation easements—including all of those held by the Minnesota Land Trust—are perpetual. They apply to the current owner and all future landowners, permanently protecting the property.

Each conservation easement is unique, specifically tailored to the particular land being protected as well as to the particular situation of the landowner.

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What types of land can be protected through conservation easements?
Conservation easements can be used to protect a variety of lands, but the Minnesota Land Trust concentrates its efforts on:

natural habitat for wildlife, fish and plants such as prairies, forests, blufflands, or wetlands;

lakeshore, rivers and streams, the natural features and systems with which Minnesota is so identified; and

scenic landscapes, particularly those with local community, cultural or historic significance.

Not all properties are suitable for protection through conservation easements with the Minnesota Land Trust. Whenever possible we will provide landowners with information on other options.

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What restrictions are included in a conservation easement?
First, conservation values are defined and then restrictions are created to protect those values. Restrictions may apply to all of a landowner's property or to only a portion of it.

Typically, easements address subdivision, commercial or industrial uses, mining, construction of buildings or roads, utilities, disturbance of the vegetation or topography and any activities on the property that might interfere with the conservation purpose for the easement.

For example, an easement preserving rare woodland habitat may require that the property be left entirely in its natural state, prohibiting all development. Or, to protect a lake or stream, an easement may allow limited inland construction of buildings or trails while restricting such activities along the more fragile shoreline. Some easements may permit continued farming or limited timbering. Others may provide for enhancement of wildlife habitat or restoration of native prairie.

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What are the effects of a conservation easement on a landowner's property rights?
A landowner retains all rights to the property not specifically restricted or relinquished by the easement. The landowner still owns the land and has the right to use it for any purpose that is consistent with the easement, to sell, to transfer or to leave it through a will. Typically, landowners also retain the right to restrict public access.

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What obligations come with a conservation easement?
Landowner: The landowner remains responsible for the land—for its maintenance and upkeep, for paying taxes and for otherwise meeting the typical obligations of land ownership. Conservation easements add only a few further requirements:

• To notify the Minnesota Land Trust of proposed changes to the property
• To allow annual monitoring visits
• To notify the Minnesota Land Trust when selling or transferring the property
• To comply with the restrictions in the easement

Minnesota Land Trust: The Minnesota Land Trust is obligated to oversee and enforce the terms of the easement. A representative will periodically schedule visits to the property to make sure the land continues to be used according to the easement. If necessary, the Minnesota Land Trust will legally defend the easement in the event of a violation. The Land Trust does not otherwise have the right to use the property without the landowner's permission.

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What are the benefits of a conservation easement?
Land Protection—Conservation easements are a cost effective tool to protect Minnesota's increasingly threatened land and water resources, preserving wildlife habitat, safeguarding our waters and capturing scenic vistas for today and tomorrow.

Living Legacy—Conservation easements give landowners peace of mind, knowing that their commitment to protecting their "special places" will be forever respected and remain an enduring legacy for their family and their community.

Common Good—Conservation easements allow landowners to contribute to local communities and to the State by protecting the land and water resources that provide us with our cherished quality of life.

Financial Benefits—Conservation easements may reduce a landowner's tax obligations in number of ways:

• Income Taxes: As with other charitable contributions, the donation of a conservation easement under certain circumstances may allow the landowner to claim a federal income tax deduction for the value of the easement.
• Estate taxes: A gift of a conservation easement may also reduce federal estate taxes, making this an effective way to transfer land to the next generation with its natural features intact.
• Property Taxes: An easement that reduces the value of the land may result in lowered annual property taxes.

NOTE: The rules governing all of these potential tax savings are complex and require the advice of professional advisors.

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