Land Management Resources
Protecting Your Land And Water
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy works in partnership with nearly 200 individual landowners to manage conservation easements on their privately owned lands. Conservation easements are voluntary, perpetual agreements that restrict the way that land will be managed in order to protect natural resources and water quality.
The Conservancy's goal is to work with landowners whose properties have significant characteristics that will protect and enhance land, water, or wildlife habitat quality. Property owners who place permanent conservation easements on their land in a way that provides a direct benefit to the public – such as maintaining habitat for wildlife, protecting water quality, or preserves scenic views – may be eligible to receive tax advantages.
Learn more about opportunities to work with the Conservancy to permanently protect your land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conservation Easements
How do conservation easements work?
When you own land, you also "own" many rights associated with it. These property rights include the rights to harvest timber, build structures, and grow crops, and so on, subject to zoning and other restrictions. When you grant a conservation easement to the Conservancy, you permanently give up some of those rights and retain other rights. For example, you might give up the right to build additional residences while retaining the right to grow crops or harvest timber. Future owners are also bound by the easement's terms.
Conservation easements can be used to protect a wide variety of land including farms, forests, wildlife habitat, and properties with scenic views. Conservation easements are drafted in a detailed legal agreement that outlines the rights and restrictions on the owner's uses of the property and the responsibilities of the landowner and the Conservancy. The landowner and the Conservancy tailor the easement terms to protect the land's conservation values and to meet the needs of the landowner.
How does the Conservancy monitor easements on privately owned land?
Typically, a staff member will meet with a landowner once a year to walk the property with landowners, review easement conditions, review any changes to the rights the property owner is executing, and discuss management strategies. Click here to learn more about the advantages and mechanics of conservation easements.
What kinds of rights are permitted on land protected by a conservation easement?
Every easement is different. Each one is tailored to the specific needs of the landowner and the conservation interests of the Conservancy. Typically, the rights to hunt and fish, farm, harvest timber, maintain hiking trails, extract oil and gas, and maintain and enhance existing structures are retained by the landowner. The right to sell the property is also retained by the private landowner.
What kinds of activities are, generally, restricted on land protected by a conservation easement?
The right to develop or divide land is most commonly restricted. Sometimes, certain types of management in ecologically significant areas – such as timber harvests in sensitive wetlands – are restricted. The Conservancy works in partnership with the landowner to create conservation easement language and land management terms that are agreeable to both parties.
With an easement in place, what types of land management activities would require the Conservancy's approval?
The answer depends on the conditions of the individual conservation easement for the property. Any provision in an easement that requires the development of a plan will require approval from the Conservancy. Things that typically require approval include forestry management, ecological restoration such as stream bank stabilization or remediation of a site.
How do I learn more about the unique conditions and characteristics of my property and how to manage my resources?
Our Stewardship Team can provide information about invasive species, native plants, best practices in land management, and links to helpful websites.
Do you have a question about a specific land management issue? Please email the Conservancy's Land Stewardship Team or call 231–929–7911.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
