A voluntary deed restriction placed by the landowner on his or her property to protect valuable agricultural resources, including soils, water quality, wildlife habitat, historic sites and scenic views.

The conservation organization visits the site of an easement each year to be sure the terms of the agreement are being upheld.

Land or conservation easement is sold to a charitable and tax-exempt organization for less than its fair market value.

The legal record of the site and condition of the resource; included in the easement or deed package. This document should be signed and dated when the conservation easement or deed is signed. The baseline document represents a significant investment of a land trust's time and resources because it captures detailed project information.

Landowner or beneficiary places assets in an irrevocable charitable trust that allows the beneficiary and the conservation organization to benefit. The beneficiary can receive a set income from the trust for life and the conservation organization receives the remainder of the trust after the death of the beneficiary.

A legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization or government agency that permanently limits a property's uses in order to protect the property's conservation values.

Wildlife habitat, open space, historic, or recreational resources. For example, land may have a high conservation value if it contains habitat for endangered species or if it has open space in a highly developed area.

A written promise contained in a contract, lease, deed, or other form of agreement

Terms are placed in the deed to the property that restrict certain uses of the real estate by future owners. No income tax benefits; possible estate tax benefits.

Land is conveyed to a land trust upon the death of the landowner through the landowner's will. No income tax benefits but estate tax benefits remain.