Conservation Easement

Definition

A legal agreement restricting development on a property to preserve natural resources or historical character. Also known as 'the government's way of preventing you from building that mall.'

Example Usage

The rural property has a conservation easement that prevents commercial development.

Origin

Environmental protection mechanism developed in the 1980s

Fun Fact

Conservation easements can actually reduce property taxes and create tax credits, making them surprisingly popular with wealthy landowners.

Source: Land Trust Alliance

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