Protect Land
Protecting Land for the Community
Open space is vital to the future of our communities—for recreation, wildlife habitat, safe drinking water, and climate change mitigation. Westchester Land Trust works to protect the land in three ways:
- Conservation easements, which allow landowners to retain ownership of their land but preserve the conservation values in perpetuity.
- Land acquisitions where ownership is transferred to Westchester Land Trust. Typically this is in the form of a donation from the landowner.
- Partnerships where we work with other conservation organizations, community groups, and state, county, and municipal governments to protect land.
Got land?
If you’re interested in protecting your land, please contact Gentian Falstrom at 914-234-6992 ext. 14 or gentian@westchesterlandtrust.org.
In total, WLT has protected over 9,000 acres including 1,000 acres in preserves owned by the organization, many of which are open to the community and free to access year-round.
Land Protection FAQs
What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a property owner and a land trust or government agency that permanently restricts certain land uses and activities. An easement is a practical and flexible tool that allows landowners to continue to own and use their land while preserving its conservation values. The easement is attached to the land forever and Westchester Land Trust will ensure that the terms of the easement are upheld by current and future owners of the property.
What does the process look like for land and easement donation?
The process starts with an initial conversation to see if your goals and those of Westchester Land Trust align. If they do, we’ll visit the property and do a thorough assessment. All new land projects need to be presented to our Board of Directors for approval. If approved, the process takes 4–6 months and may involve a survey, appraisal, and other tasks. For further questions or to get the process started, contact Gentian Falstrom at gentian@westchesterlandtrust.org or 914-234-6992 ext. 14.
Can I preserve or donate my land if I live in a city or have a small lot?
We work in rural, suburban, and urban areas throughout Westchester and eastern Putnam counties. Size is not the most important factor in assessing a property for protection. Westchester Land Trust has protected several small lots in urban areas to provide public park lands or preserve the conservation values of private land in densely populated areas.
If I put my land under easement, do I have to give access to the public?
Definitely not! Some of our easements do permit public access, since we hold many easements on land owned by other conservation organizations, which may allow hiking, horseback riding or other activities. The majority of easements held by private landowners do not provide public access.
How does a land donation or conservation easement affect my taxes?
The donation of land or a conservation easement on your land may qualify for a tax deduction. In addition, New York State offers an annual tax credit to owners of qualifying conservation easements. We suggest you consult your tax advisor for more information.
What is Westchester Land Trust's role after the easement is in place?
Westchester Land Trust staff are available to help easement owners learn about their land and how to best care for it. We will visit at least once a year to ensure compliance with the terms of the easement and to answer any questions a landowner may have.