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Options in review

As a landowner, you’ve already made lots of choices—from your initial purchase to daily management decisions. But whether or how to permanently protect your land’s special resources could be the most important land ownership decision you make—certainly the one with the most lasting results.

It’s a unique opportunity to touch the future.

Options

The most popular methods for owning land for conservation are listed in the navigation bar at left. The following options are less common because they apply only in specialized circumstances and/or offer only temporary protection. As a result, not all conservation groups use these options, while others will do so only in exceptional cases.

Preserve dedication

Some of Iowa’s preserves are public lands, while others are privately owned with no public access. If you own land with exceptional biological, geological, historic or scenic features, you might apply for “state preserve” status, even while maintaining private ownership. In this case, a management plan is written with oversight and guidance from the Preserves Board and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff. The landowner, the State Preserves Advisory Board, and the Governor must agree to the restrictions. See Chapter 465C, Code of Iowa, for details.

Conservation lease

If you’re not ready to transfer land to a conservation agency or organization, some organizations may be willing to lease the land for conservation uses and management. A long-term lease (paid or free) can help a landowner manage or enhance a natural area, but it does not guarantee permanent protection to the land and its resources. For example, this arrangement can cause problems if the owner dies without making provisions for the land’s long-term ownership and management.

Mutual covenant

Neighbors who share conservation goals may record similar restrictions on their properties and then share the responsibility of enforcing the restrictions. Mutual covenants aren’t as strong or long-lasting as conservation easements, but they can work with the right combination of people and circumstances.

Farm debt cancellation

Persons with Rural Economic and Community Development loans that are secured by real estate may be able to cancel part of the RECD debt in exchange for donating a conservation easement. To be eligible, the land must have significant conservation values.

Find more details about the financial and tax impacts of conservation protections.

reprinted from Landowner’s Options, © 2007, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
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