Conserve Land
Conservationists can protect private lands through a variety of different tools and strategies, which in turn can find support from a panoply of public resources and incentives. The most fitting approach for any individual project depends on both the circumstance and resources at hand.
Tools for Land Protection
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Conservation Easements
The use of conservation easements -- a voluntary, legally binding contract that limits specific uses or types of development -- has enabled private landowners to protect millions of acres of land while providing public benefits in perpetuity.
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Land Purchase and Acquisition
Land trusts and landowners often utilize fee-simple land purchases to conserve land because they ensure that family lands will be protected in perpetuity.
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Federal Programs and Resources
Depending on the needs and uses of their lands, private landowners can leverage a variety of federal incentives for conservation as part of their overall funding "quilt."
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Management Agreements
Management agreements are often carried out with the assistance of a land trust and can enable landowner can continue to live on and manage their land, even though title may have been transferred to the land trust.
Go Straight to Your State
Learn about conservation and open space in your state.