As a land trust, the PWA uses a variety of land conservation tools to protect the beauty and natural integrity of the Pemaquid Peninsula Region. There are many techniques available to preserve a treasured property. Two of the most common land protection strategies are conservation easements and land acquisition. There are a great many other options available as well. Please contact us to learn about land protection options or to request copies of our Conservation Easements (free) brochure and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Conservation Options for Landowners booklet ($3).

Establishing a conservation easement is a practical way for a landowner to direct current and future uses of his or her property. Easements can permanently protect your land’s scenic, ecological, historic, woodland, wetland, open space, agricultural or recreational value.

Landowners benefit from the security of knowing that their land will remain legally protected even when it eventually passes to a new owner. Towns benefit by having lands of significance maintained while keeping them on the tax rolls. An easement may reduce the market value of the designated property, sometimes to the extent that property or estate taxes are reduced. Thus, it may enable heirs to hold onto family land that they may otherwise have to sell.

Land acquisition is another conservation open. Lands appropriate for long-term conservation ownership may be acquired through donation, bargain sales, bequests and other avenues. Lands that do not meet conservation criteria may still be used to support our conservation objectives. With donor permission, lands may be resold with the proceeds used to support conservation projects.

Public Preserves: 4 (207 Acres)
Conservation Easements: 12 (268 Acres)
Acres Conserved: approx. 475