Conservation Easements
A conservation easement or conservation servitude can help protect your land, wildlife habitat, scenic areas, or historic buildings. It’s an alternative to selling the land for development.
A conservation easement or conservation servitude is a legal agreement ensuring your property will be managed according to your wishes. With an easement or servitude, you retain ownership of the land, and you may qualify for tax benefits.
What Is It?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between the person who owns the land and a non-profit conservation organization (often called a land trust) or a government agency.
Why Use One?
Some of the reasons to use an easement include to preserve or promote a conservation ethic on your property; to protect special features of your property such as mature trees, wildlife habitat, or historical significance; to maintain the productivity of your land; or to reduce your tax burden
What Land Qualifies?
At least 51% of the land must be natural habitat. Mississippi River Trust (MRT) focuses on significant habitats that need protection such as wetlands, bottomland hardwoods, native prairie and more.
Tax Benefits
Both federal and state laws provide tax benefits to landowners who protect natural or historic land with qualifying conservation easements. Conservation easements are not suited for every situation. Landowners should consult tax professionals for more specific information.
Recent Conservation Easements
Read through the stories of 12 landowners and the success that the conservation easements had.

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