TAOS LAND TRUST: CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

What is a conservation easement?

Conservation easements allow landowners to decide how their land will be cared for in the future by voluntarily retiring certain development rights. The landowner retains ownership and is not required to provide public access. The landowner can continue to use the land for farming, ranching or sustainable forestry, can reserve limited home sites, can sell it or pass it on to heirs, but the protection stays with the land forever. Conservation easements can qualify landowners for substantial federal and state tax benefits and can reduce or eliminate inheritance taxes.