The Brandywine Conservancy's Environmental Management Center: Publications: Conservation Easements

Conservation Easements

Conservation Easements

One of the Brandywine Conservancy's most important functions is to assist landowners and communities in developing land use plans which protect significant natural, agricultural and historic features while achieving social and economic goals.

The Conservancy recognizes that the individual landowner has the greatest ability to influence the destiny of our natural lands and cultural heritage...

(also in this section: What a Conservation Easement is :: What a Conservation Easement Does :: What a Conservation Easement Does Not do)

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Benefits to the Landowner

Conservation easements provide a variety of benefits to landowners.

An easement may provide significant financial benefits through the reduction of federal income taxes, estate taxes and/or gift taxes.

A property owner makes a tangible commitment to the conservation of the natural and agricultural resources, open spaces, cultural heritage, and scenic beauty of his or her land and the community in which they live.

(also in this section: Benefits to the Public :: Financial Considerations :: Passing the Conservation Test)

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Perpetuity of the Easement

In addition to meeting at least one of the above conservation purposes, an easement must be granted in perpetuity and be given to a qualified recipient, such as a governmental unit or a non-profit organization. Such an organization must hold the easement solely for conservation purposes. Federal regulations also require that the holder of an easement be able to enforce the terms of the agreement.

(also in this section: Developing a Master Plan :: Estimating the Cost of a Conservation Easement)

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For more information send email to: emc@brandywine.org, call 610-388-2700, or write to Environmental Management Center, Brandywine Conservancy
P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317