Ways to Protect Your Land with a Conservation Easement
Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection. To date, we have saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation, and incubation of conservation projects.
We are working on tens of thousands of acres more. Our vision for the future is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
The Benefits of Donating a Conservation Easement
You may wish to protect your land by donating a conservation easement to Conservation Florida. Donating a conservation easement allows you to retain ownership of your land while ensuring its protection in perpetuity.
You may also be eligible to receive a tax deduction for the value of the conservation easement.
In cases where a parcel of land meets our conservation objectives and funding is available, Conservation Florida may offer to purchase your conservation easement. Like when donating, you would retain ownership of your land while ensuring it is protected, permanently.
There are additional ways to safeguard your land, such as a bargain of sale for a conservation easement as well as donating land for conservation or with a retained life estate. You can also consider selling your land to a conservation buyer or selling a conservation easement to a governmental agency. Please reach out to us to discuss your land protection options.
It’s As Easy As 1-2-3
Each land protection project is unique, but we’ve outlined the traditional conservation easement process below.
Phase 1: Evaluating
We get to know about you and your land protection goals, followed by a visit to your land to inventory its biological features and current conditions. After an analysis of funding sources, if applicable, we will discuss the monitoring needs and the Land Stewardship Fund. If your project meets our conservation goals and selection criteria, we move forward together.
Phase 2: Drafting
After conducting our due diligence, we will negotiate the terms and work with you to develop a conservation management plan. Once the necessary documentation, examination, and paperwork is completed, the conservation easement will be reviewed by all parties.
Phase 3: Accepting
During this stage, our Land Protection Committee will review the terms and make a recommendation to our Board of Directors. Once the conservation easement is considered, signed by all parties, and recorded in public records, Conservation Florida will request a contribution to our Land Stewardship Fund and sign IRS Form 8283. Finally, we will monitor the easement conditions annually.
Meet Adam Bass
Adam Bass, Director of Conservation.
Adam is our director of conservation and leads our statewide efforts to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for generations to come. A multigenerational Floridian with practical experience in real estate, agriculture, and art, Adam previously managed a 2,000-acre farm and cattle operation in addition to founding a successful wildlife photography business. Adam also served as a corporal in the Marine Corps with two tours in Iraq.
Interested in Protecting Your Land?
Get started by filling out our land protection form and get started.
adam@conserveflorida.org
(352) 376-4770