What We Do
conservation
The main tool that Greenbelt utilizes as a land trust — namely, a conservation easement — is a legal agreement between a willing landowner and an eligible easement holder, such as a land trust, that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. It allows landowners to continue to own and use their land, while retaining the option to sell or pass it on to their heirs.
Conservation easements offer great flexibility and can come with tax advantages for landowners who donate them. An easement on property containing rare wildlife habitat might prohibit any development, while an easement on a farm might allow continued farming and the addition of agricultural structures.
The land trust is responsible for making sure the easement’s terms are followed, providing “stewardship” of the property.
stewardship
Greenbelt stewards the lands that have been entrusted to us with baseline documentation, the development of long-term management plans, and annual monitoring. We have two types of properties - lands that were donated to us (Nature Preserves) and lands that are protected with a conservation easement. We are committed to caring for the lands we protect in perpetuity.
learn more about potential tax advantages:
our Conservation easements
our nature preserves
