Conservation
Protect your forest, working farm, waterways, and wildlife habitats through a conservation easement.
Through conservation easements, we protect working farms, forests, scenic and historic landscapes, rivers, vital wildlife habitats, mitigation sites, and special areas that remain protected for future generations. We also accept donations of land which we manage as public or private preserves.
What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between the landowner and the land trust that limits the uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. Unlike a county use designation, it is permanent and perpetual. The landowner continues to own the land and can live on it, sell it, or pass it on to heirs with the agreement remaining in place.
Conservation easements can be placed on various types and sizes of both private and public land. In most cases, the landowner is eligible for federal income, estate, or property tax benefits. These will vary and a tax attorney can help determine what applies to your situation. Just like the properties themselves, no two conservation easements are alike.
Conservation Easement Specialties
The Southern Conservation Trust’s conservation team works with a variety of land owners, including individuals, corporations, farms, and families, to meet their conservation goals. Our most common conservation successes are listed below and are not mutually exclusive. Reach out if you think a conservation easement would be right for your property!
Fee Simple Property Donations
Interested in transferring ownership of your land entirely? Unlike donating a conservation easement, which keeps the property under your continued ownership, you may prefer to donate your land outright to the Southern Conservation Trust. We accept donations of fee simple property with clear titles and protect thousands of acres of greenspace, wildlife habitat, streams, and wetlands this way.
Leave Your Legacy with Planned Giving
Not ready to donate your land yet? That's okay. Some landowners choose to remember SCT in their wills or arrange for a life estate. Explore planned giving options instead for your real estate as well as other assets.
Environmental Services Offered
In addition to the list below, we’re happy to work on other aspects of habitat and land management. If there is a service we cannot provide, we will happily direct you to other resources or groups. Contact us today to get started.
List of Services
-
Wildlife SurveysList Item 1
We can deploy game cameras, conduct field surveys, and research state databases to inventory the wildlife on your property and prepare a final report along with images.
-
Land Management PlansList Item 2
The terms of most conservation easements require a land management plan be prepared by a professional at least every 10 years. We will work with you to customize a plan that is aligned with your objectives as well as the conditions of your particular conservation easement.
-
EnhancementsList Item 3
Whether you have boundary posting needs or wildlife habitat enhancement goals, we can answer questions and provide recommendations about stewardship issues you’re experiencing or ways to meet other goals, like improved water quality, on your property.
-
Drone FootageList Item 4
Allow our team of FAA Part 107-certified drone pilots capture high-resolution images and video to showcase your property’s features. Contact us to talk about your needs.
nicks creek longleaf reserve
A Southern Conservation Trust Project
In December 2019, the Southern Conservation Trust, Inc. (SCT) was donated the 1,660 acres in Moore County, North Carolina that we call Nicks Creek Longleaf Reserve. Previously, the tract of land was slated for development into golf course, hotel/resort, residential and commercial uses. It is now a crown jewel private nature reserve that the SCT is proud to own and manage.
