For Landowners

Conserving Your Land

There are several ways to protect your land, depending on your goals and the type of property you own.

To continue owning your property, a conservation easement can be used to protect the land while you retain ownership for your private use.  If ownership is not important, transferring your land to the Conservancy can result in its protection as a public place or to be sold with conservation restrictions in place.

Continue Your Ownership

If you wish to retain ownership of your land, a conservation easement can be used to protect the natural resources on the property, limit subdivision and development while allowing you to continue to own and use the property. 

Lands subject to a conservation easement can be sold or passed to heirs; the conservation easement remains on the property to ensure future owners cannot subdivide and develop the land.

Conservation easements can be donated to the conservancy or purchased if a funding source can be found.  Donations of an easement may qualify you for a charitable tax deduction or a state tax credit.

Transfer Your Land

When continued ownership isn’t desired, your land can be transferred to Genesee Valley Conservancy through a donation or sale.  The Conservancy can then continue to own the land as a nature preserve, transfer your land to another entity for long-term stewardship (such as NYS Parks or NYS DEC), or sell your land subject to a conservation easement so it can remain privately owned.

Criteria for Conservation

Determining the right conservation option for your property requires an understanding of your goals for the property, knowing the location, size, and type of land, and aligning those with Genesee Valley Conservancy’s long-range plans and resources.  

Contact our staff so we can evaluate what opportunities exist for your property and so we can understand what type of conservation measures will meet your goals.