Yes! We are here to help.

You have worked hard to care for your land and want to pass on its integrity for generations to come. Rich soil, clean water, and wildlife habitat are precious today – and will be more precious in the future. As the value of developable Western land skyrockets, more and more landowners turn to Prickly Pear Land Trust for tools to manage their land as they wish.

What is an easement?

Successful conservation easements are the result of a voluntary, thoughtful process. Each agreement is unique, tailored to meet the personal needs of the landowner and the special qualities of the land.

• A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust [qualified conservation organization, like PPLT]
• The agreement is designed to permanently protect the conservation values of the land, including working farms and ranches, clean water, and wildlife habitat.
• A conservation easement limits the development potential of a piece of land, and is transferred with the title to all future landowners.
• Landowners who place a conservation easement on their property continue to own the land and are free to carry on traditional land uses, sell the land, or pass it on to their heirs.
• In most cases, property owners retain the right to provide or prohibit public access on their land, as they see fit.

What are the tax benefits on a conservation easement?

Conservation easements may provide tax benefits as a charitable contribution

• An outright donation of land to a land trust can provide tax benefits.
• Conservation easements can help keep land in the family by lowering estate taxes.
• If landowners wish to donate their land but continue to live on it, a remainder interest donation with a reserved life estate may be a good option.
• Under some circumstances, property owners are paid for their development rights in what is called a “purchased” easement.

How can PPLT help?

Like you and your property, each voluntary conservation easement agreement process is unique. Contact Prickly Pear Land Trust to discuss your needs and circumstances. Together we can pass on our natural blessings – clean water, working farms and ranches, and wildlife habitat – for generations to come.

Since 1996, Prickly Pear Land Trust has worked with private landowners to conserve working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, and other land of high scenic, recreational, and historic value. We work in Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater, and Powell Counties.

Prickly Pear Land Trust is a community-based, non-political, nonprofit organization working with local landowners to protect working farms and ranches, clean water, and wildlife habitat through voluntary conservation agreements.