- Cultural Resource Protection
Education
Cultural Resource Protection for Private Landowners - Easements
If you own an historic building or an archaeological site, you can play an active role
in its preservation by placing a conservation easement on your property. A conservation
easement offers property owners flexibility in land management while at the same time
protecting some of Florida's history. Additionally, it can afford property owners tax benefits.
What is a conservation easement?
Conservation easements may apply to a variety of resources. Broadly applied, a
conservation easement is a legal agreement a property owner makes with a non-profit
or government organization to protect a cultural or natural resource on his property.
Depending on the resources they protect, conservation easements are known by several different
names. For example, an agricultural easement would protect a family farm. Types of conservation
easements commonly used to protect historic buildings and archaeological sites include historic
preservation easements and open space or scenic easements.
Why place a conservation easement on my property?
Along with tax benefits and community benefits, conservation easements are uniquely
tailored to meet the needs of the individual property owner. They allow property owners
to protect specific resources on their property while retaining ownership. An owner
can choose which portions of the property he wishes to protect and which to exclude
from protective covenants of the easement.
