Stewardship
Audubon Partnership/Important Bird Area
Wish ListList
Easement Monitoring
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and Willistown Conservation Trust that permanently protects the land while the owner continues to own it. Each conservation easement is unique, but for example, a typical easement might limit the number, type and location of structures on a property. After the terms are agreed upon, landowners donate the conservation easement to Willistown Conservation Trust.
Conservation easements are the lifeblood of land protection in the Willistown area and is the tool used to save 90% of our conserved land.
Most easements exist in perpetuity, and even when a property is sold the terms of the easement adhere to the land under the new owner. An important part of the Trust's stewardship activities include annual monitoring of existing conservation easements to ensure that the provisions of the easement are upheld.
An annual visit from a Trust staff member is a great opportunity to clarify any landowner questions and confirms that the easement provisions which protect the land are being followed.