How long does a conservation easement last and who upholds it in the future?

Conservation easements are “perpetual,” that is, they last forever and run with the land, not the owner. The Land Trust monitors the property, generally once a year, to assure that the easement terms are not being violated. If the easement has been breached, the Land Trust will take whatever steps are necessary to uphold the terms of the conservation easement, including taking legal action. Because of this obligation, the Land Trust asks all easement donors to make a financial contribution to the Land Trust’s Land Stewardship Fund. This fund ensures funding for long-term monitoring and, as a last resort, enforcement of every easement the Land Trust receives.