Protect the place you love
Washington County is home to a unique array of natural habitats, from rolling oak savannas to steep forested bluffs.
The St. Croix River merges with the Mississippi here, creating important corridors for migratory birds and other wildlife including the endangered rusty patched bumble bee.
But you already know this because you live here, in this beautiful and bustling region of the state. And you know how critical it is to balance community development with natural resources access and environmental services for the residents and wildlife here.
The Minnesota Land Trust is seeking willing landowners to help protect this important habitat through a voluntary land protection agreement, also known as a conservation easement.
Will you partner with us to safeguard natural habitat and wildlife for future generations?
Have questions? Contact Lydia Fermanich at 651-240-7889 or Lfermanich@mnland.org
Legendary Polar Explorer Ann Bancroft Protects Her Land in Washington County
The thing about polar explorers is, they always come home. When legendary polar explorer Ann Bancroft partnered with the Minnesota Land Trust to protect her home in Washington County, she ensured that home would always be there, not just for her, but for the water, plants, and wildlife that rely on it.
Does your land qualify for a grant-funded conservation easement?
The proposed land to be protected must:
- Be located within Washington County.
- Be at least 20 acres in size. Priority is given to larger properties.
- Contain high quality natural features such as native plant communities (forests, prairies, woodlands), shoreland along rivers and streams, or rare and threatened species.
- Contain less than 10% in cultivation or have the potential to restore currently cultivated land (in excess of 10%) to native vegetation.
- Not already be enrolled in permanent land protection programs.
Why apply?
- Protect Minnesota’s important wildlife habitat, water quality, and beautiful open spaces
- Preserve your family’s legacy on the land
- Join a community of dedicated landowners who steward over 85,000 acres of important lands across Minnesota
- Receive tax incentives or other compensation for a permanent conservation easement on your property
- Receive a free habitat management plan, with the potential for financial and technical land management assistance
What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement safeguards the natural features of a property through voluntary, legally binding, and permanent land use restrictions.
Lands protected by a conservation easement remain in the landowner’s private ownership.
Public access is not required. The easement stays with the land, ensuring permanent preservation for generations to come.
What are the terms?
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.
Take the First Step to Permanently Protect Your Land!
Let’s connect to talk about your property and conservation goals.
Have questions? Contact Lydia Fermanich, Minnesota Land Trust Program Manager at 651-240-7889 or Lfermanich@mnland.org. You may also apply to the program by downloading and completing the Washington County Land Protection Program application form [PDF].
Funding for this program is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
