Why Conserve Land?

Few gifts are as enduring as the conservation of land.  The protection of land through a conservation easement ensures that a property will be protected from development in perpetuity.  This helps to maintain a balance between nature and development and ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy the natural qualities of the land.  Individuals and families can qualify for tax deductions associated with conservation of land.

If you would like more information about land conservation options or would like to discuss possible ways for conserving land, please call our office at 802-862-4150 or email us at info@lclt.org.  We would be more than happy to talk you through the process.

The Basics of Land Conservation

Conserving your land to benefit your family, the lake, and future generations is a process we would be happy to walk you through.  The information below is intended to help you better understand the basics of land conservation.

Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows a landowner to limit the type or amount of development on their property and permanently protect the conservation value of the land.  Every conservation easement is tailored to each specific property and the wishes of the landowner.  Once a conservation easement is signed, development rights to the property are legally held and monitored by the Lake Champlain Land Trust.  The easement remains tied to the land so that even after the land is sold, the limits of the conservation easement apply to next landowner.  It is the responsibility of the Lake Champlain Land Trust to ensure the conservation easement is upheld in perpetuity.

Criteria for Land Conservation

The Lake Champlain Land Trust places a high priority on conserving the islands, lakeshore, and natural areas in and around Lake Champlain in order to protect biodiversity, scenic beauty and recreational amenities.  We prioritize properties with a high conservation value and base our decisions on a set of conservation criteria.  Our board ultimately votes on the suitability of each project.  We do not have a minimum size for conservation projects because we know that high conservation value sometimes comes in small parcels. Lake Champlain Land Trust Criteria for Conserving Land

Tailoring Conservation Easements

No two conservation easements are exactly the same as each easement is based on the wishes of the landowner and the characteristics of the land.  For instance, some conservation easements may cover an entire property, while others may reserve or exclude a portion of the land from the conservation agreement to allow for possible development in the future.   Likewise, landowners can choose whether or not to allow public access on their land depending on the specific circumstances of that property.

Ownership and Management of a Conserved Property

In the case of a donated conservation easement, the landowner retains ownership and with it control of the property.  The owner can therefore freely sell, give or lease the property.   However the terms of the easement will be passed on to all future owners of the property.

The Land Trust acts as steward of the easement, annually monitoring the property to ensure that the conditions of the conservation easement are being upheld.

Stewarding Conserved Land in Perpetuity

The work of stewardship begins once the island, lakeshore, or natural area has been identified and conserved.  The ongoing commitment to monitor, defend, and enforce the easement is what ensures protection in perpetuity.  Thus, the Land Trust’s stewardship program consists of several different components: the drafting of solid documents that establish the terms of the easement and the base condition of the property, establishing effective communication with landowners, and annual monitoring visits by the land trust.

Options for Conserving Land

There are several ways to conserve land.  The Lake Champlain Land Trust can work with you to find a conservation option that is in line with the wishes of you and your family.

Donating Land

It is possible for an individual or family to donate a property outright to the Land Trust.  The land trust will place a conservation easement on the property to protect the conservation values of the property.  In most cases, the property is then donated to a municipality, the state, or another non-profit organization for the public’s benefit.  The Lake Champlain Land Trust also has a program to accept camps, parcels, and buildings without tremendous conservation resources to support our land conservation and stewardship efforts through their eventual sale.

Donating a Conservation Easement

In this case, an individual or family will donate not the whole property, but a conservation easement on the land.  This easement permanently limits development and preserves the property’s conservation values while the property remains privately owned.  In most cases this land remains closed to public access.  The public benefits to this arrangement are scenic open space and conserved wildlife habitat.

Purchasing Land for Conservation

Sometimes the Land Trust will purchase a property.  Most of the time the landowner will sell the parcel at a bargain sale.  The Land Trust will raise funds from individual donations and grants to purchase a property outright.  We will place a conservation easement on the property that permanently conserves it.  The property will then be donated to a municipality, the state, or another non-profit organization for the public’s benefit.