Conservation easements are a widely used land protection tool.
Conservation easements permanently protect the land and it remains in private ownership. A conservation easement with the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy is a perpetual, legally binding agreement between a landowner and NPC regarding the use of a property and any development allowed on that property.
The conservation easement describes the permitted uses of a property. This includes such things as agriculture, forestry, recreation, habitat improvement, and other open space uses. The conservation easement also notes any permitted residential, commercial, and industrial uses of the property; including where any additional houses may be built and if any sub-division will be allowed. Once a conservation easement is granted, the landowner can give, sell, or otherwise transfer the property. The conservation easement is perpetual and applies to all future owners.
NPC staff visits each property under conservation easement at least once each year to monitor the property. This visit allows NPC to verify compliance with the conservation easement and to answer the landowner’s questions.
The links below will help you find more information about NPC’s conservation easement program. If you are interested in discussing a potential project, please feel free to contact the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs Associated With Conservation Easements
