What is a conservation easement?
Also called a conservation agreement, a conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement.
In this written agreement, landowners choose to restrict certain uses of their property in order to protect it forever.
How do conservation easements work?
Landowners work together with PPLT to establish and protect the conservation values of their land. Together, they agree upon the terms of the agreement that create restrictions and allowances that support their unique property.
The agreement will include limits on the property’s future development potential to prevent intensive development - such as for a shopping center or housing development. This also provides an opportunity for tax benefits for the owners.
LAndOwner Rights
Landowners retain full ownership of their property.
They continue to live on and work their land
They identify how their land will be used
This includes: ranching, practicing agriculture, building new structures, or designating building areas for future homesites, etc.
Public access is not required
To learn more about conservation easements:
Visit the Texas Land Trust Council
download the Conservation Easement Guide for Texas Landowners
Examples of conservation easements in action
The Pecore Family were recognized with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Lone Star Land Stewardship Award in 2016. The video below highlights their journey and commitment to conservation management. We are honored by their decision to permanently protect their land though a conservation easement with PPLT.
Three Creeks Farm is home to New Leaf Agriculture, a social enterprise of MultiCultural Refugee Coalition. This organic produce farm connects refugees to farming in their new communities. They are a wonderful example of what can be accomplished on one of our easements.
