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Protect and Steward Your Forest Land

What is a Conservation Easement?

A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust like AFLT. It places certain restrictions on land development and use, ensuring the land's conservation values are preserved forever. However, it allows the landowner to retain ownership and continue traditional activities such as farming, forestry, and hunting.

Benefits of a Conservation Easement:

  • Retain Ownership: You maintain ownership and control of your property while safeguarding its natural resources.

  • Continue Traditional Land Use: Farming, forestry, and recreational activities such as hunting can continue.

  • Permanent Protection: Conservation easements ensure that the land remains protected for generations, benefiting wildlife, water quality, and your family’s legacy.

  • Financial Benefits: You may qualify for federal income tax deductions, estate tax reductions, and potential property tax benefits when placing land under a conservation easement.

Why Protect Your Land?

AFLT helps landowners ensure their land is protected and its natural beauty preserved. Here’s why working with AFLT makes sense:

  • Preserve Your Legacy: Protect your land so it can be enjoyed by future generations, and ensure its ecological and scenic features remain intact.

  • Contribute to Sustainability: Help protect Alabama’s forests and ecosystems, maintaining habitats for wildlife and ensuring clean water sources for communities.

  • Stewardship Support: AFLT offers ongoing guidance and assistance, ensuring your conservation goals are met over time.

How the Process Works

  1. Initial Consultation: AFLT will meet with you to discuss your property’s unique features and your conservation goals.

  2. Tailored Conservation Plan: We develop a custom conservation easement that aligns with your vision, protecting the land’s conservation values while allowing for continued use.

  3. Legal Agreement and Easement Establishment: We guide you through the process of creating and finalizing a legal conservation agreement.

  4. Ongoing Stewardship: After the easement is finalized, AFLT partners with you for long-term stewardship. This includes annual monitoring and ongoing support to maintain the property’s health and conservation goals.

Stewardship & Long-Term Care

A conservation easement is a long-term commitment, and AFLT is dedicated to helping you manage your land for future generations. Our stewardship program ensures that the easement is upheld and that the land continues to thrive.

  • Annual Monitoring: We visit your property every year to ensure the easement terms are being met and the land remains in good health.

  • Adaptive Management: We work with you to adapt land management practices as necessary to support the long-term health of your property.

  • Ongoing Support: AFLT offers guidance on managing your land, answering questions, and addressing any issues that arise over time.

FAQs

  • A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust like AFLT. It permanently limits certain uses of the land to protect its conservation values while allowing the owner to retain ownership and continue certain land uses like farming, forestry, or hunting.

  • Yes, you retain full ownership of your land. The easement simply places restrictions on certain types of development to protect its natural features.

  • Yes, you can sell your land, but future owners must honor the terms of the conservation easement, ensuring the land remains protected.

  • No, public access is not required unless you choose to allow it. Conservation easements do not automatically mean public access.

  • A conservation easement is permanent. It is legally binding on all future owners of the land, ensuring it remains protected forever.

  • Landowners may qualify for federal income tax deductions, estate tax reductions, and potential property tax benefits. The value of a conservation easement is typically determined by an independent appraisal.

  • Yes, conservation easements allow for traditional uses, including farming, hunting, and responsible timber management. The easement is tailored to meet your needs while protecting the land’s conservation values.

  • AFLT provides long-term stewardship, including annual property monitoring and adaptive management strategies to ensure the easement terms are upheld and the land remains healthy.

  • The process involves an initial consultation with AFLT, the creation of a tailored conservation plan, and the drafting of a legal agreement. AFLT guides you through every step, ensuring that your goals are met and the land is protected.

  • AFLT works with landowners to adapt management practices as needed, ensuring that the land’s conservation values are preserved while meeting the landowner’s goals.

More info can be found from one of our partners here.