Vermont Land Trust - Conservation Easement Donation Guidelines

Conservation Easement Donation Guidelines

Conservation easement donations are one way for landowners to directly participate in fulfilling the Vermont Land Trust’s mission. Through the donation of conservation easements, landowners can conserve a variety of lands that epitomize the Vermont landscape, such as pastures, hay meadows, managed forest lands and wildlife habitat. These guidelines apply to parcels totaling 50 acres or more; smaller parcels are evaluated under VLT’s Conservation Easement Donations — Small Parcel Guidelines.

I. Easement Donation Categories — Eligible land must have significant public conservation value, generally shown by fulfilling one or more of the following six descriptions:

1. Community and Scenic — Land with any of the following characteristics:

a. Community Land:

• Land that helps define a community’s sense of place and heritage, such as the gateway to a village, backdrop to the town, or the site of an event of historical significance.

• Land where people come together for a common activity such as a ballfield, swimming hole, or local trail system connected to a village or urban center.

• Land where people can derive a physical and spiritual connection to the natural world.

b. Scenic Land:

• The land is visibly prominent from one or more public lands, trails, waterways, or roadways; and

• The land makes a significant contribution to the rural character of the town, region or state.

2. Land-based Economy — Land which currently supports or contributes, or has the potential to support or contribute in the future, to productive forestry and/or farming enterprises.

3. Biological Diversity and Unique Land Features – Land that contributes to Vermont’s biological diversity or possess unique natural features.

a. Biological diversity:

• Biologically rich areas including Vermont Non-Game and Natural Heritage Program sites which have been field verified.

• Vermont Biodiversity Project designated reserve, corridor, biodiversity resource area or buffer lands, provided natural resources values have been field verified.

• High quality habitat for flora and fauna, including game species.

b. Unique Land Features:

• Substantial undeveloped shoreline along significant streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.

• Significant geological sites or outstanding water resources such as waterfalls or gorges.

4. Public Health — Land lying within the aquifer protection area of public water supplies.

5. Public Access — Land with natural attributes to which the public gains substantial and meaningful legal access.

6. Social and Economic Justice — Land which provides clear, direct benefit to economically or socially disadvantaged Vermonters. Examples could include urban recreational access, community supported agriculture, community gardens, and experiential education or demonstration venues.

Rev. July 2001

These links provide other information about VLT's family lands conservation program:

The following links provide information for you, if you are interested in conserving land that does not fall into this category: