DESIGNING AND APPLYING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

While the optimum role of conservation easements in planning remains u nclear, data from the experience of land trusts suggest the tool has s ufficient potential to merit serious consideration by planning profess ionals. Although planners are generally familiar with conservation eas ements, more attention to how they are designed and applied in various settings is needed to foster wider use. This article compares easemen ts with other techniques, discusses case studies of their successful u se, and analyzes regional patterns of easement use in the United State s. A sample easement design is presented.