What is a Agricultural Easement?

An agricultural conservation easement is a voluntary, legally recorded restriction placed on farming properties to keep them in active production. This easement prevents harmful activities that could damage agricultural use and remains effective even if the property changes ownership. Designed to support viable farming and prevent development, it also helps maintain scenic and habitat values by keeping the land undeveloped. The Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley (LTSCV) facilitates these easements, ensuring that the terms are upheld and the land’s agricultural integrity is protected. By safeguarding these valuable lands, we contribute to the preservation of our agricultural landscape for future generations. 

​Ensuring locally-grown foods and securing the regional greenbelt.

What is a Conservation Easement?

A conservation easement is a voluntary, legally recorded restriction placed on a property to protect natural habitats and wildlife. This agreement is between a landowner and a land conservancy or government agency Its primary goal is to safeguard critical ecosystems and ensure these areas remain intact for future generations. This easement prohibits activities that could harm wildlife or degrade important ecosystems and remains effective even if the property changes ownership. Designed to support biodiversity, it preserves essential habitats for various species while helping to maintain scenic beauty and ecological health by preventing development. The Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley (LTSCV) is committed to facilitating these easements, collaborating with landowners to uphold the terms and protect vital ecosystems. By securing these important lands, we contribute to the conservation of wildlife and the preservation of natural habitats for future generations.

Find out more of Conservation Easements Below...

How?

When a farmer or rancher donates a conservation easement​ to a land conservancy, they give up some of the rights associated with the land. For example, they might give up the right to build additional structures, while retaining the right to grow crops. Future owners also will be bound by the easement's terms in perpetuity. LTSCV is responsible for making sure the easement terms are followed. In Santa Clara County, most agricultural conservation easements have been purchased rather than donated from the landowner. In these cases, the landowner receives payment for the appraised value and can use those funds in whatever way they choose.

​Conservation easements offer great flexibility. For example, an easement on property containing wildlife habitat might prohibit development, whereas an easement on a farm might allow continued farming and the building of additional agricultural structures. An easement may apply to just a portion of the property, and need not require public access. If the donation benefits the public by permanently protecting important conservation resources and meets other federal tax code requirements, it can qualify as a tax-deductible charitable donation. The amount of the donation is the difference between the land's value with the easement and its value without the easement.

Where?

Conservation easements allow owners to continue to own and use their land, and to sell or pass it on to heirs. These easements ensure land passes on to the next generation. By removing the land's development potential, the easement lowers its market value, which in turn lowers estate tax. Whether the easement is donated during life or by will, it can make a critical difference in the heir’s ability to keep the land intact.  A landowner often decides to sell a conservation easement rather than donating it. LTSCV owns about 220 acres of land outright and currently seeks landowners with prime agricultural lands that they would like to keep farming.  ​

We conserve land through conservation easements. While primarily focused on Santa Clara County, LTSCV is also working to establish a presence in San Mateo County to address service gaps in coordination with other conservation agencies.​

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