Enironmental Law Seminar: Conservation Easements and Land Trusts

Catalog description

Conservation easement is a type of property right in land held by someone other than the landowner. Additionally, the rights must have a conservation purpose. Over the past thirty years, conservation easements have emerged as a favored land-preserving tool of both public and private entities. They now protect over seven million acres of land nationwide, and the number of nonprofit organizations using the tool (called Land Trusts) is burgeoning. In this seminar, we will examine this popular tool, the reasons for its emergence, and its use. Along with exploring the strengths and weaknesses of conservation easements, we will investigate alternative methods of land conservation. This course will involve a substantial research paper and class presentations. Recommended: Environmental Law Survey