What is a Land Trust?
A land trust is a nonprofit organization that assists landowners who wish to voluntarily conserve their properties. Land trusts are usually organized as charitable corporations, not as trusts. Notably, the first land trust, The Trustees of the Reservations, was founded by Charles Eliot in 1891 in Massachusetts.
More information about land trusts can be found at these links:
Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
A landowner can conserve land in several ways that include keeping ownership of the property. This table provides an overview of land protection options. For more information see the document Land Conservation Options provided by the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition.
RETAIN OWNERSHIP
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SELL OR DONATE
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| Permanent Protection | With Compensation | ||||||
| Conservation Restriction Donation of an Undivided Interest Donation of Land by Bequest (will) Donation of a Remainder Interest |
Sale at Fair Market Value Bargain Sale Installment Sale Charitable Remainder Trust |
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| Temporary Protection | Without Compensation | ||||||
| Deed Covenants & Restrictions License or Lease to a Conservation Organization Management Agreement Chapter 61 Open Space Tax Programs |
Lifetime Donation Donation by Will Donation of a Remainder Interest Donation of an Undivided Interest |