The Process

Donating a conservation easement permanently protects a property from excess development, regardless of who owns the land in the future. Conservation easements are drafted to reserve the private property rights of the land owner and encourage traditional land use practices, like agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, hunting and fishing. View the documents enclosed to learn more about donating conservation easements and the associated financial benefits.

The Virginia Eastern Shore (VES) Land Trust is an accredited land trust. In 2011, the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust earned national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. In 2022, VES Land Trust achieved renewed accreditation for the second time, a mark of distinction in land conservation. VES Land Trust is one of just 459 of the nation’s land trusts to meet the highest standards for operations and stewardship.