Conservation Easements
If you own an historic building or an archaeological site, you can play an active role in its preservation by placing a conservation easement on your property. A conservation easement offers property owners flexibility in land management while at the same time protecting some of Florida's history. Additionally, it can afford property owners tax benefits.
What is a conservation easement?
Conservation easements may apply to a variety of resources. Broadly applied, a conservation easement is a legal agreement a property owner makes with a non-profit or government organization to protect a cultural or natural resource on his property. Depending on the resources they protect, conservation easements are known by several different names. For example, an agricultural easement would protect a family farm. Types of conservation easements commonly used to protect historic buildings and archaeological sites include historic preservation easements and open space or scenic easements.
Why place a conservation easement on my property?
Along with tax benefits and community benefits, conservation easements are uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the individual property owner. They allow property owners to protect specific resources on their property while retaining ownership. An owner can choose which portions of the property he wishes to protect and which to exclude from protective covenants of the easement.
