Easement Programs
Baltimore County has over 55,000 acres under conservation easement and is a leader nationally in land preservation efforts. A conservation easement is a legal document that is recorded and attached to the property deed that places certain restrictions and conditions on the land. The land remains in private ownership. Depending on the easement program chosen, an easement can either be donated or sold. A government agency or non-profit land trust (or sometimes both) agree to hold the easement. Terms of easements are customized to meet various objectives, but they always provide some meaningful conservation benefits to the broader community. A conservation easement runs with the land, meaning it applies to all future owners of the property. There can be significant financial benefits to the property owner choosing to place a property under permanent conservation easement, in addition to the satisfaction of knowing the land and resources will be protected in perpetuity.
VPC staff can answer general questions about easement options. Detailed inquiries should go to Ann Jones with Baltimore County Land Trusts. She can be reached at 410-229-0532.
Conserving Our Valleys
"Conserving Our Valleys" is a collaborative project initiated by the Maryland Environmental Trust, the Land Preservation Trust, and the VPC to increase the land base of permanently protected acreage in the Green Spring, Worthington, Western Run, and Belfast Valleys of Baltimore County. The initiative is a response to increased community concern over rapid development and loss of rural character and treasured open spaces.
Learn more.Rural Legacy Program
Maryland's Rural Legacy Program is among the few such programs in the nation that designate large blocks of rural lands for permanent protection through conservation easements. Baltimore County has five such designated areas - more than any other county in Maryland.
Learn more.
