Resources For Land Trusts
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Previous research has demonstrated the potential value of conservation development on private lands, especially when traditional sources of conservation funding are not available. We estimated the ext...
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Last reviewed by MLTC 11/18/2024.
The resources below provides details on the tax benefits of conservation easements.
Conservation Law Foundation's 2010 resource on Conservation Easements and Tax Ben...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026.
Resources supporting land conservation deal financing and fundraising, including practical tools, templates, and case examples. Useful for acquisition financing, capi...
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Last reviewed by MLTC on 9/30/2024.
Resources about the Conservation Land Tax Credit Program.
A 2019 documents summarizing examples of land conservation projects completed with support from the Co...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 02/05/2026.
A three-part guide for land trusts that provides a framework for climate-informed conservation planning and land protection. It explains how to identify climate-resi...
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How protecting endangered and threatened species makes good business sense.
View article
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026.
Practical resources for planning, approving, and documenting CR/easement amendments. Together, these materials help land trusts understand Massachusetts legal and a...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 3/17/2026.
Guidance and example policies supporting conservation restriction (CR) holders in defining enforcement authority, roles, and procedures for responding to violations...
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Last reviewed by MLTC: 9/22/2025
Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services reviews conservation restrictions (CRs) in order for the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to approve the C...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 6/03/2026.
These resources support routine stewardship monitoring for conservation restrictions and conserved properties. They can be used to train staff and volunteers on moni...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026.
Practical stewardship references that land trusts and conservation commissions can use to build or improve a conservation restriction (CR) stewardship program, includ...
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Website linked here.
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This approach is used to determine the fiscal contribution of existing local land uses, and can be used to compare the costs and contributions of residential development to working and open land.
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MLTC currently supports the policy and legislative initiatives found here.
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 01/07/2026.
MassWoods provides information to help landowners explore options for the future of their land as part of estate and legacy planning. The Your Land, Your Legacy page...
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Last reviewed by MLTC: 9/22/2025
Review of deed restrictions as a limited land conservation tool in Massachusetts, explaining their legal limits on duration and enforceability. It provides guidance on...
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DEI Outdoors acts as your Transformation Partner, working alongside you as a trusted ally to co-create solutions tailored to your unique needs. Our approach involves collaborative brainstorming, share...
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The primary purpose of the DEIJ Guide is to provide a path forward on DEIJ for organizations working onenvironmental issues in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. While this guide is not as granular as a ‘h...
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Last Reviewed by MLTC: 12/11/2025
This resource explains how municipalities, conservation groups, and agricultural commissions can identify and formally designate farmland that is locally important ev...
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Reviewed by MLTC 9/20/2024.
IRS publication 561 helps donors and appraisers determine the value of property (other than cash) that is given to qualified organizations. They also explain what kind of ...
