The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.

– Wendell Berry

​Why protect your land with a conservation easement?

​The farmers and landowners of Cecil County hold the key to conserving the healthy lands and clean waters of our region. Conservation easements enable protection of these vital resources now and for future generations.

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What is a conservation easement?

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust. They limit future development, are flexible and are crafted to meet the needs of particular properties and their owners.

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How is the Value of a Conservation Easement Calculated?

In short, the value of a conservation easement is the difference in value between the land being sold for development and its value for agricultural and natural resource preservation purposes.

Example calculation ​of
​easement value

Types of Conservation Easements

A conservation easement that protects property from future development can be either:

1. Donated by the landowner (usually with tax benefits for the landowner); or
2. Purchased from the landowner.

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Donating a Conservation Easement

In addition to potential tax benefits, another advantage of protecting your land with a donated conservation easement is that this type of easement can be completed quickly – often within two to four months.

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Selling a Conservation Easement

Funds to purchase conservation easements are available through a variety of federal, state and county conservation programs: Maryland’s Rural Legacy and Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Programs; Cecil County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program; and the federal Forest Legacy Program.

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Protecting a working farm…

I can sit on my front porch enjoying the view of the land; I could fish in my pond or camp next to the stream. I can enjoy my farm with no worries knowing it continues as a working farm.

- Pauline Mackie, Owner of a farm protected by a Rural Legacy easement in 2002

Read other landowner
​thoughts