First, we own land. Sometimes we buy land, sometimes it’s donated to us, and sometimes it’s a combination of both.

 

Second, we hold conservation easements. This is a legal agreement between a landowner and the Land Conservancy that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect it. It allows landowners to continue to own and use their land, and they can also sell it or pass it on to heirs. As conservation easements have value tied to the land itself, they, too, can be bought by or donated to the Land Conservancy, or some combination of both.

Third, we work with towns, counties, other agencies, and not-for-profits to protect land, either by helping them become the new owner or by helping them hold a conservation easement on it. We call this an assisted transaction.

 

And fourth, we also help communities plan for conservation through open space mapping and planning.