Protect and Preserve Your Land
Protecting your land, step by step.
Deciding to protect your land is a big decision. We help you think it through, work with your advisors on the details, and make it permanent.
Why conservation
Why landowners choose to protect their land.
Every landowner has their own reasons for wanting to protect the land.
Protecting land has broader value, too. It helps keep the air clean, softens the impact of extreme weather, and preserves wildlife habitat.
For many landowners, an easement or donation also comes with tax advantages. And with an easement, you keep ownership.
The process
From first conversation to permanent protection.
Every property is different, and we tailor each step to your situation.
Reach out
Send us your basic information: the location and size of your property, current land use, and the best way to reach you. We usually respond within two business days.
Site visit and baseline documentation report
A Baseline Documentation Report (BDR) documents the property’s current condition, natural resources, and conservation features. The landowner is responsible for obtaining and paying for the BDR. NRC can recommend qualified providers and help coordinate the process.
Committee review
Our review committee reviews the report and makes a recommendation. We share the decision with you. If conservation looks like a good fit, we recommend your own attorney and financial advisor review the proposal.
Decide and plan
Once you decide to move forward, we work with you to draft the conservation easement and set a timeline. The easement is permanent and stays with the property, even if you sell. We write it so you and your heirs can continue to live and work on the property.
Stewardship contribution
When the easement is finalized, the landowner makes a one-time stewardship contribution to NRC. This contribution supports the preparation and filing of the easement documents, as well as NRC’s ongoing monitoring and long-term stewardship of the protected property.
Sign and record the easement
The easement is signed, notarized, and recorded at the county courthouse where the property is located. From this point forward, the protection is permanent.
Annual monitoring
We monitor every conservation easement annually using ORBO’s remote monitoring technology. Every five years, we supplement this with an on-the-ground inspection of the property.
Ready to start the conversation?
How we work
What to expect when you work with NRC.
NRC is a land trust. We work with private landowners to permanently protect land with important natural or agricultural value: wildlife habitat, working farmland, and clean air and water. There are two ways to protect land through NRC.
Option 1
Conservation easement
A permanent agreement that protects your land while you continue to own and use it. It travels with the property if you sell.
Option 2
Donate your land for conservation
A donation of land to NRC, often called a “fee simple” donation, is a direct way to create a lasting conservation legacy. NRC takes ownership of the property and, in most cases, permanently protects its conservation values through a conservation easement.
For landowners who want to see their property protected without retaining ownership or the responsibilities that come with it, a land donation can be a powerful and straightforward option.
The Baseline Documentation Report
Before moving forward with a conservation easement, a Baseline Documentation Report (BDR) is prepared by an independent provider to document the property’s current condition, natural features, and conservation values. NRC can recommend qualified providers and help coordinate the process.
NRC reviews each property individually to determine whether a conservation easement or another conservation approach is appropriate. In some cases, a land donation may provide an alternative way for the property to support NRC’s broader conservation mission.
When an easement is finalized, NRC requests a one-time stewardship contribution. This supports preparation and filing of the easement documents, as well as ongoing monitoring and long-term stewardship of the property.
The cost of the BDR is separate, as are any expenses for your own attorney, tax advisor, or other professional advisors.
Tax considerations
The tax side, in plain terms.
A conservation easement or land donation may qualify as a charitable gift for federal tax purposes. Whether it qualifies, and how much of a deduction is available, depends on the property and the gift.
A few things to know:
- To claim a deduction, the IRS must consider your donation a charitable gift. Your attorney or tax advisor can confirm whether your situation qualifies.
- For a conservation easement gift valued over $5,000, the donor reports the value on IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions) and files it with the federal income tax return.
- The IRS requires a “qualified appraisal” by a “qualified appraiser,” which NRC does not prepare or certify.
- The IRS can review or challenge parts of the documentation. That’s why your tax advisor should look everything over before you file.
Frequently asked
Questions landowners commonly ask.
How long does the full process take?
Every property is different. We share a clearer timeline after the site visit.
Do I pay for anything?
You are responsible for obtaining a Baseline Documentation Report (BDR), which documents the condition of the property at the time the easement is established. NRC does not prepare BDRs internally, but we can recommend qualified providers and help coordinate the process.
When the easement is finalized, you also make a one-time stewardship contribution to NRC. This single contribution supports the preparation and filing of the easement documents, as well as NRC’s ongoing monitoring and long-term stewardship of the protected property. Your own attorney and tax advisor fees are separate.
Can I still use my land after an easement is in place?
Yes. A conservation easement limits certain uses, but you keep ownership and can continue to live and work on the property. We write each easement to fit how the property is used.
What happens if I sell the land?
The easement stays with the property, even if you sell. NRC continues its annual monitoring.
Do I always get a tax deduction?
Not always. Whether you qualify depends on the property, the type of gift, and current IRS rules. Your tax advisor is the right person to confirm.
Do I need my own attorney?
We strongly recommend it. Your attorney and tax advisor represent your interests when reviewing our proposal.
What kinds of land does NRC protect?
NRC works with landowners to protect properties with meaningful natural, agricultural, habitat, or other conservation value. We evaluate each property individually to determine whether it is a good fit for permanent protection.
Do you work in every state?
We currently hold easements in 17 states and are always open to conversations surrounding expansion.
Get in touch
Ready to protect your land?
We work with landowners across the U.S. on permanent land protection. Send us a note or give us a call.