What is a Conservation Easement?
The Conservation Easement is a popular means of protecting and conserving land in North Carolina. Conservation Easements have been used to protect lands as varied as mountain ridgetops, piedmont river corridors, and coastal beaches.



Because Conservation Easements have only recently been used with regularity, most landowners are unaware of how useful this land protection tool can be.

A Conservation Easement is a tailored legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that limits uses of the land in order to protect is conservation values. The donor of an easement can continue to live on, use and manage the land, sell it, or hand it down to heirs. The easement remains in effect and passes on to new owners with the deed. Conservation easements benefit the public by protecting scenic or natural land from development, while meeting the financial and personal needs of the landowner. State and federal tax laws provide signifcant tax incentives for landowners who donate a permanent Conservation Easement.

The Challenge Before Us
North Carolina's extraordinary landscape faces growing threats. Our mountain counties are experiencing unprecedented rates of growth. Thousands of acres of farm, forest and wetlands in our region are lost each year to sprawling new development.
The rural character and natural beauty so
important to our quality of life and economic
security are being forever altered.

Conservation Easements provide the means to preserve the best of our mountain natural heritage... a priceless legacy.