Conservation Information

Land Conservation Options

"The trouble with land is that they're not making it anymore"

Will Rogers

Is your property a "special place" that you value for its unique water, woods, or wildlife features that you want to see protected for your enjoyment and that of future generations? As a landowner, you have several options to limit development on your property to permanently protect its natural resources and leave a living legacy.

Place a conservation easement on your property that prohibits or limits future development yet you still retain ownership and use of the land. If the land is sold, the easement will pass on to future owners to insure permanent protection of those features that are special to you.

Donate or sell your private land to the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, state of Minnesota, local government, or other qualifying nonprofit conservation organization for the purpose of returning it to public ownership to be managed into perpetuity for wildlife and aquatic habitat protection and public use and enjoyment.

What is a Conservation Easement?

A conservation easement is a legally binding agreement between a qualified entity (government agency or non-profit conservation organization) that allows a landowner to voluntarily limit the use and development of their land in order to permanently preserve the land's nature features. Landowners continue to hold title, pay property taxes, and use the land in any way not prohibited by the terms of the agreement. Landowners can sell or lease the land, or transfer it to their heirs, but future owners will also be bound by the terms of the agreement. This is how the land is forever protected.

Each easement is unique and tailored to the specific property and the landowner's situation. There can be significant tax benefits (income, estate, or property) to landowners, depending on the circumstances and how the easement is defined. The entity that holds the easement inspects the land periodically to insure that the conditions of the easement are satisfied.

How Can the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation Help?

Many of the Foundation's completed land conservation projects were possible because of the generosity of conservation-minded landowners who donated land or easements to their property to the Foundation to limit develop and permanently preserve its natural resource value.

The Foundation welcomes the donation of land or easements or we can provide you with assistance, resources, and referral to help meet your land conservation goals.

For more information on land conservation options, read: Land Protection Options Handbook, a practical guide for Minnesota landowners interested in preserving their land.

***For a limited time, financial assistance grants are available
Through June 2008, landowners in Cass, Crow Wing, and Aitkin counties interested in putting a conservation easement on their property may be eligible for grant assistance of up to $5,000 to cover associated costs. Contact the Foundation for the appropriate referral.