Yes! Northern Waters Land Trust wants you to continue to enjoy your lake time. Establishing a conservation easement protects the woods, water and wildlife around your “special place” for future generations. It’s not intended to preclude all use of your property.

Whatever organization signs the conservation easement assumes the monitoring responsibility for it. Historically, this action has been handled by our partner, Minnesota Land Trust, but the Northern Waters Land Trust is striving to become accredited and plans to start holding conservation easements soon.

No, as a private land owner, you retain all private property rights to your land with a conservation easement. The conservation easement, through its legal protection, provides an intangible benefit to the land and water surrounding your property. Your act helps the “greater good” of the environment within your watershed.

Possibly. If a part or all of the easement is donated, you may be eligible for an IRS charitable deduction on your income taxes. You could also be compensated for your easement through a grant. Every land or financial transaction has different advantages to different people – it depends on your particular financial situation. It’s best to consult your financial advisor for the best path for you.

Technically, yes, but each land trust organization focuses their efforts on existing or restorable natural habitats that best fit within that organization’s scope or vision.

Landowners do have some on-going responsibilities. For example, since it’s your property, you’re responsible for maintenance and upkeep, for paying taxes, and for otherwise meeting the typical obligations of land ownership. Conservation easements add a few further requirements; landowners must:

• Notify the Land Trust of proposed changes to the property (including when selling or transferring)
• Allow annual visits by certified monitors
• Obtain Land Trust approvals for certain activities, depending on the easement terms

The land trust that writes up the easement typically is the enforcer of the easement. They are obligated to annually monitor and enforce the terms of each easement. However, the Land Trust does not otherwise have the right to enter or in any way use the property without the landowner’s permission.

Your land is appraised before and after the easement is established. The appraisal value of your land with the conservation easement is subtracted from the value of your land before the conservation easement. The more restrictions you have written in your CE, the more donation or compensation value you may receive.