Fast Facts About Conservation Easements

 

Cattle Ranch, New Mexico

A cattle ranch in New Mexico operating under a conservation easement.
Photo © Eddie Soloway

New Federal Law Enhances Conservation Tax Incentives

New tax incentives are available for private landowners interested in protecting the important conservation values of their lands through the donation of conservation easements. Learn more about this unique opportunity.

  • In 2003, 5.1 million acres were protected by local and regional land trusts in the United States through conservation easements.
  • 3.2 million acres currently held under conservation easement by the Conservancy.
  • The Conservancy received its first conservation easement in 1961, on six acres at Gallup Salt Marsh in Connecticut. The conservation easement was a gift, valued at $300 at the time. The Conservancy still holds the conservation easement.
  • The smallest Conservancy-held conservation easement is 0.08 acres at Montauk Peninsula in New York.
  • The largest Conservancy-held conservation easement is 201,560 acres on the Diamond A Ranch in New Mexico.
  • 1.6 million acres of U.S. lands subject to conservation easements in which the Conservancy assisted government agencies, conservation organizations or land trusts.
  • 32,000 acres protected internationally by conservation easements granted to the Conservancy.
  • 34,000 acres of non-U.S. lands subject to conservation easements in which the Conservancy assisted government agencies or conservation organizations.
  • Between 1992 and 1997, more than 11 million acres of rural land in the United States were converted to developed use – an area five times the size of Yellowstone National Park.
  • The Conservancy received its first conservation easement in 1961, on six acres at Gallup Salt Marsh in Connecticut. The conservation easement was a gift, valued at $300 at the time. The Conservancy still holds the conservation easement.