Sauk River Watershed Protection Program

Protect the Land You Love!

As a landowner in this region, you can help improve water for drinking, recreation, and aquatic species; and ensure that the remaining wetlands, forest, and prairie continue to provide habitat for birds and other wildlife to help preserve your way of life.

The Minnesota Land Trust is seeking private landowners who wish to help protect this important habitat through permanent conservation easements on their land. Will you join us in preserving this region for future generations?

Scott Rall, a landowner and conservationist in southwest Minnesota, permanently protected critical grassland, giving wildlife space to breathe.

For more information download the Sauk River Watershed Protection Program brochure (PDF). Ready to get started? Provide some basic information about your property by completing an application form.

Let’s Work Together

Leah Hall is a Conservation Program Manager for the Minnesota Land Trust, overseeing the Central Minnesota program. With 15 years of experience in conservation, she works with landowners to establish permanent conservation easements that protect vital ecosystems.

Leah holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Geography from the University of Oregon and an M.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Minnesota.

Questions? Contact Leah at 651-240-7878 or lhall@mnland.org

What is a conservation easement?

Why apply for a conservation easement?

Do you qualify for a conservation easement?

To qualify for this program, the proposed property to be protected must:

• Be located within the Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection & Restoration Program area; this includes portions of the following counties: Douglas, Todd, Pope, Stearns, Meeker, and Wright; and the outlying areas and cities of Sauk Centre, Paynesville, Cold Spring, Saint Cloud, and Saint Joseph
  
• Be at least 40 acres in size with larger parcels preferred
  
• Include wetlands or water bodies within the proposed easement area or contribute to conservation of adjacent wetland habitats
  
• Contain less than 20% of proposed easement area in cultivation

What are the easement terms and restrictions?

Conservation easements are complex legal documents. Land Trust conservation easement terms generally:

• Permit low impact recreational uses, such as camping and hunting. 
• Prohibit or limit agricultural uses, including wildlife food plots. 
• Permit vegetation management in accordance with a habitat management plan approved by the Land Trust. The first plan is funded by the Land Trust.  
• Prohibit division into separate ownerships. One conservation easement per owner. 

Easement value and compensation

On your application, you must specify a desired payment amount per acre. The amount you choose may affect whether your project is ranked and if it is ultimately chosen.  

Applications to the program will be ranked on both the ecological value of the land and the payment amount desired. The Land Trust will evaluate all applications received and make selections.

If your application is selected, the Land Trust will use a certified appraiser to determine the value of the proposed conservation easement. Upon finalizing the conservation easement, you would receive a one-time payment, up to 100% of the appraised value.

The Land Trust cannot pay more than the appraised value of the conservation easement.

Benefits of donating conservation easement value

The Minnesota Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) public charity. As with other charitable contributions, the donation of a conservation easement may allow the landowner to claim a federal income tax deduction for the value of the easement. A gift of a conservation easement may also reduce estate taxes. Please consult your attorney. 

Are You Ready to Permanently Protect Your Land?

Join hundreds of other dedicated private land stewards across Minnesota who have put their land to work in support of environmental conservation.

Apply Now

Have questions or want help completing the application process? Contact Minnesota Land Trust Program Manager Leah Hall at 651-240-7878 or lhall@mnland.org.

Completed Protection & Restoration Projects in Your Area

• 
  Restoring a Landscape from the Past & Preserving it for the Future
  The Heurungs have protected over 70 acres of their property in Stearns County, mostly composed of forest and woodland, grassland, and wetlands, and 2,829 feet of shoreline that includes a portion of the Sauk River and a restored pond.   Active stewards of their land since they acquired it in 2017, the family partnered with Stearns… Read more: Restoring a Landscape from the Past & Preserving it for the Future
• 
  Protecting 79-acres of Critical Waterfowl Habitat in North America’s Duck Factory
  Landowners Dave and Stephanie Sanderson have enjoyed their beautiful Otter Tail County property for many years, engaging in a variety of recreation activities including hunting, hiking, bird watching, and photography. In partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust, the Sandersons have generously donated a 79-acre easement, protecting the habitat, wildlife, and opportunity to recreate in perpetuity.… Read more: Protecting 79-acres of Critical Waterfowl Habitat in North America’s Duck Factory
• 
  A Ducky Partnership
  Minnesota is renowned for its ecosystem diversity; countless wildlife, plants and insects call it home. So, it may not be surprising to learn that Minnesota is also home to America’s “Duck Factory”, one of the most productive nesting areas for waterfowl in North America. The prairie pothole region, found in western Minnesota, is a landscape… Read more: A Ducky Partnership

Funding for this program is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.