How Do I Save Land?

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy conserves and connects communities in Albany, Montgomery, and Schenectady Counties. MHLC’s service area is situated between the Adirondack Park to the north and the Catskill Park to the south.

Connecting

Are you a landowner who is interested in protecting your land? Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy offers a variety of ways for you to ensure your conservation legacy. MHLC accepts donations of land, donations of conservation easements, and can even accept a bequest of land as part of your estate planning. Read more about conservation options below.

Land and Easement Donations

MHLC accepts donations of land or the donation of the development rights to your land as a conservation easement. Land donations must meet MHLC land acquisition criteria and be located within one of our Priority Areas for conservation. If your property meets the criteria, reach out to our Associate Director to discuss conservation options. Donating land or an easement is a great way to create your own conservation legacy!

What is a Conservation Easement?

A conservation easement is a legal agreement that restricts development and other land uses on portions of your land in order to protect the natural resources of the property. The landowner continues to own the land, pays the taxes, and uses the land while also still being able to sell the property in the future. MHLC serves as the conservation easement holder, and MHLC staff visit the property each year to confirm the easement terms are upheld, ensuring the conservation wishes of the original landowner are upheld in perpetuity.

Estate Planning

You can leave your land as your legacy through Planned Giving. Please contact Tara Tornello, Development and Community Engagement Director, at tara@mohawkhudson.org for more information on how to create a land bequest as part of your estate planning.

‍For more information about your conservation options and to discuss your conservation goals, contact Associate Director Sarah Walsh at sarah@mohawkhudson.org.

‍Looking for other ways to protect natural resources and special places in the Capital Region?
Visit our Backyard Conservation web page.