Since joining POST, I’ve spent as much time as I can out on the land. On most weekends, you can find me walking hillsides with a nature journal in hand, listening for birds and jotting down the small, surprising details I notice along the way. I’ve always been a naturally curious person: someone who wants to understand how things work and why they matter.
I feel really lucky to have a job that brings that curiosity into my work. One of my biggest responsibilities is overseeing POST’s conservation easement program. At first glance, that might sound a little technical, but it’s actually one of the most fascinating (and powerful) tools we have to protect land. In practice, it means working closely with landowners, coordinating annual visits to these properties, and helping shape agreements that protect what makes each place special for the long term.
If you’ve ever wondered how we protect open space from development that can strain or degrade the land’s natural resources, conservation easements are a big part of the answer.
Conservation Easement Basics
What Is a Conservation Easement?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a land trust and a willing landowner that permanently protects a property’s natural, agricultural, or scenic values.
In simple terms, it ensures that the things that make a place special—whether that’s wildlife habitat, farmland, or access to nature—are protected forever.
Once an easement is in place, it becomes part of the property’s title. That means even if the land changes hands, the conservation protections stay with it.
How Do Conservation Easements Work?
No two landscapes are exactly alike, and neither are conservation easements.
Land managers thoughtfully design each easement to reflect a property’s unique character while also supporting the landowner’s needs. One easement might focus on protecting habitat for Coho salmon, while another safeguards redwood forests that store carbon or preserves fertile soils for farming.
In most cases, landowners continue to live on and care for their land. Many of the properties POST helps protect remain active farms, ranches, or family homes: places that are both productive and deeply connected to the land.
Why Does POST Use Conservation Easements?
Conservation easements are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect land at scale.
They allow us to:
- Keep working lands operating
- Protect wildlife and natural ecosystems
- Partner with landowners who share a commitment to stewardship
By working together, we can protect more of the places that define our region, both now and for generations to come.
How Do Landowners Benefit?
For many landowners, the biggest benefit is peace of mind. They can rest easy knowing their land will remain cared for and protected into the future.
There can also be financial benefits, including:
- Payment for the value of the easement
- Potential reductions in property taxes
- Tax incentives for donating part or all of an easement’s value, which may be carried forward for up to 15 years
Every situation is different, but at its core, a conservation easement is a partnership built on shared values.
How Does POST Ensure These Lands Stay Protected?
That’s where my role comes in.
POST currently holds a vast array of easements, from coastal terraces to redwood forests to working farms. My job is to help ensure those protections last.
Each year, we:
- Visit every easement property
- Observe how the land is being used and cared for
- Document conditions and ensure the agreement is being upheld
It’s a big responsibility—but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see these landscapes thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a conservation easement in simple terms?
A conservation easement is a permanent legal agreement that protects its natural or agricultural value. The land remains privately owned, but certain types of development are restricted.
Does a conservation easement allow public access?
Not always. Public access depends on the specific agreement. Some properties include trails or recreation, while others remain private working lands.
Who owns land under a conservation easement?
The landowner continues to own and manage the property. POST holds the easement and ensures its terms are followed over time.
What happens if the land is sold?
The easement stays with the property. All future owners are legally required to follow the same conservation protections.
How does POST monitor conservation easements?
POST works with landowners to plan a visit to each property annually to observe conditions, document changes, and ensure the agreement is being upheld.
Committing to Stewardship Together
At its heart, a conservation easement is more than a legal tool. It’s a promise that the hillsides, forests, farms, and coastlines we care about today will still be here tomorrow, thriving and resilient. It’s also a reflection of something powerful: what’s possible when landowners, communities, and organizations like POST come together with a shared commitment to long-term stewardship.
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Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 97,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more
