Conservation Easement Program for Landowners

Why do Henrico’s lands need preserving? Land conservation in Henrico County is crucial for safeguarding its agricultural heritage, preserving natural resources, mitigating climate change, and ultimately ensuring community well-being. The county has lost 85% of its farmland since the 1982 census, with only about 4% of its total land area currently being farmed. Over the last five years alone, Henrico lost 1,900 acres of farmland and 15% of its farms, leaving just 84 farms. A number lower than regional and state averages.

Virginia's agriculture sector contributes more than $82.3 billion annually to the state economy and supports 381,800 jobs. However, the conversion of farmland to urban and residential use is accelerating. Statewide, Virginia lost more farmland between 2017 and 2022 than in the previous 15 years, with over 488,000 acres converted for other uses. The Richmond region, including Henrico, lost over 9,600 acres of farmland and 13% of its farms during this period.

Land conservation efforts help mitigate these losses, protect water quality, and provide critical flood control and wildlife habitat. (VA United Land Trusts)

Conservation easements safeguard the natural beauty and resources of the land you cherish, ensuring its preservation for future generations. By protecting these spaces you allow the land to thrive and continue nourishing us in return.

Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC)

We co-hold easements in partnership with Capital Region Land Conservancy to provide fail-safe protection for easements in perpetuity, in support of 1200 acres. Founded in 2005, CRLC is dedicated to conserving the natural and historic resources of Virginia’s Richmond region for the benefit of people and nature as the area’s only land trust devoted specifically to conservation of the City of Richmond and surrounding counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan as well as the Town of Ashland. They are proud to have conserved more than 14,000 acres of land in this special region so far.

With the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, CRLC’s service area has expanded to meet the demands of growth in the area.

The Pamunkey River and its tributaries in New Kent, King William, Hanover, Caroline, and Louisa counties.
The Central Piedmont Wildlife Biodiversity Resilience
Corridor along the Appomattox and James Rivers spanning the counties of Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Amelia, and Powhatan, Goochland, Fluvanna, and Cumberland. Areas not primarily served by another land trust within a 45–60-minute drive time from Richmond including Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Prince George County.

Interested in preserving your land?

Contact Emily Hagerott, Conservation Specialist, at ehagerott@hswcd.org

Learn more

FAQs

Courtesy of the Capital Region Land Conservancy website

A conservation easement is a recorded legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently protects specific conservation values by limiting future development of the land. A conservation easement is voluntary and must comply with the local comprehensive plan. A property with a conservation easement is said to be an “eased property” or “under easement”. The landowner is the “donor” of the easement and the land trust, government agency, or other qualified entity is the “holder” of the easement. The Code of Virginia legally defines a conservation easement under
- Section § 10.1-1009
An easement is a right or use of someone else’s land by a third party. The landowner thus keeps ownership title and controls the property and can freely sell it or pass it on to heirs. The landowner also retains certain rights to use the property such as continue farming or harvesting timber. The easement conveys with the property and protects it “in perpetuity.”
An easement does not require landowners to provide public access to their privately owned land. Conservation easements on land owned by a city or county usually provide for public access. An easement has other significant public benefits such as improving water quality, protecting cultural and historic sites, sustaining working farms and forests for future production, and preserving open-space lands that enhance our quality of life.
Each easement is unique. Together the landowner and the land trust (or agency) decide the easement’s terms. Typically, easements allow for continued farming, forestry, hunting, and fishing. The primary provision of a conservation easement is a limit on subdivision of the property and impervious surface (i.e., buildings and pavement), while limited building rights are retained.
Easements come in all sizes from as little as a half-acre to hundreds of acres or more. A land trust or agency’s focus and service area will guide its policies which, along with a property’s conservation values and the local comprehensive plan, will determine if it’s right for an easement.
There can be federal and state income tax and estate planning benefits. In order to be tax-deductible, the easement: a) must be given in perpetuity; b) must be given to a qualified governmental or non-profit organization; c) must have an appraisal; and d) must be donated exclusively for the purpose of conserving significant natural, scenic, historic, scientific, recreational, or open space value.

One good reason why residents conserve their land:

"Putting a conservation easement on our property allowed us to protect the natural beauty of the land while still being able to farm and live here."

One good reason why residents conserve their land:

"We wanted to ensure that our land would remain a haven for wildlife and open space for generations to come, even after we are gone."

One good reason why residents conserve their land:

"It's not just about preserving the land for ourselves, but about leaving a legacy for our children and grandchildren."