NCLT seeks creative ways to protect open space which benefit landowners and their communities.

Gifts of Land and Conservation Restrictions
Landowners who donate land or a conservation restriction on their land can benefit from a charitable tax deduction. Recent changes in the rules for this kind of charitable deduction make it even more beneficial for landowners to donate.

Conservation Restrictions
Land can be protected by placing a conservation restriction on it. The restriction eliminates the right to develop the land, but it does not change its ownership. The landowner can continue to use the land as before, for farming, hunting, forestry and other uses. The land can be bought and sold, but it is permanently protected from development. Public access is not required.

Other Options
Many private landowners would choose to conserve their land, if conservation was a viable option. In reality many landowners cannot afford to donate land or a conservation restriction. But selling to a developer is not the only alternative. NCLT works with landowners to develop a conservation strategy that generates necessary revenues while achieving land protection.

For more information, please see the following publications:
“Land Conservation Options: A guide for Massachusetts land owners”
by The Trustees of Reservations
“Conservation Options for Landowners”
by Land Trust Alliance