Conservation Easement Packet

A conservation easement is a voluntary, written legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization (like the Methow Conservancy) that permanently protects specific conservation values such as wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, riparian ecosystems, historic property, scenic views, and open space. A conservation easement limits a property’s uses in order to protect its conservation values. It stays with the land in perpetuity, transferring from owner to owner.

When people own land, they also “own” many rights associated with it, such as the right to harvest timber, build structures, excavate minerals, etc. When landowners place a conservation easement on their land, they permanently give up some of those rights in exchange for protecting the specific features of the land. For example, they might give up the right to build additional residences to protect wildlife habitat. Each conservation easement is a unique document, tailored to each property and the financial and personal needs of the landowner.

Thinking about protecting your property through a conservation easement?

If you'd like information about conservation easements, please contact us and we can share our more detailed conservation easement information packet and talk more about your specific property and interests. Or click HERE for a PDF of info.