![Conservation Easements for Landowners text overlaying a collage of various animals and plants](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/a2qd96ff/production/ac9c8ce80597136794c0bbc6d718e597a49eb4cf-852x853.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&w=512&h=513)
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a qualified organization (such as the Legacy Land Trust Society) which limits the amount and type of development that can occur on a property in order to preserve its natural character and agricultural potential.
When a landowner takes on a conservation easement there are associated financial benefits that can help landowners pass their property on to heirs or to new owners as a viable agricultural unit or a natural landscape.
Although conservation easements have been used in Alberta since 1996, many people are still unfamiliar with them. They are a flexible tool that help to meet landowner and land trust needs, but can also be quite complex. This booklet is not a replacement for the expert advice you need related to your individual situation – talk to your lawyer, your tax advisor, and your estate planner about what a conservation easement can mean for you.
Published
2017
Contributor
![Logo for Legacy Land Trust Society on a transparent background](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/a2qd96ff/production/2c3a84f5405c26d9c606891801a9f905756c6bee-1168x383.png?fit=max&auto=format)
Legacy Land Trust Society
We work with individuals and communities to conserve land’s ecological, agricultural and heritage values. We do this through conservation planning, education and awareness, and stewardship.