Simply put, a conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified nonprofit organization or a government agency that limits certain types of development or activities on the land in order to protect its conservation values. The easement remains attached to the land, even if ownership changes hands.

 A conservation easement restricts certain land uses or developments on a property, such as construction, mining, or subdivision. These restrictions are tailored to preserve the specific conservation values of the property (e.g., wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, or water quality). The easement holder (a government or nonprofit organization) ensures that these restrictions are followed, but the landowner retains ownership and can continue to use the land in other ways (e.g., farming or recreation) that align with the conservation goals.

Conservation easements offer permanent environmental protection as the easement stays with the property even if ownership does change. This ensures that the property will stay protected for generations to come.