Knox County Tennesee

What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a flexible tool that protects land while leaving it in private ownership. It is a legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization that permanently limits a property’s use in order to protect its conservation value.


What are the advantages for the landowner?
- It leaves the property in the ownership of the landowner, who may continue to live on it, sell it, or pass it on to heirs.

- It can significantly lower estate taxes- sometimes making the difference between heirs being able to keep land in the family and their needing to sell it. In addition, the creation of an easement may provide the landowner with income tax benefits and either the sale or donation of an easement could provide property tax benefits.

- It is flexible, and can be written to meet the particular needs of the landowner while protecting the property’s resources.

- It is permanent, remaining in force when the land changes hands, A land trust, such as Seven Islands Foundation, Foothills Conservancy, Knox Land and Water Conservancy or Land Trust for Tennessee, ensures the restrictions are followed.

- By creating this beautiful river corridor, all nearby landowners should see an increase in the value of their properties.

What are the advantages for the community?
Conservation easements can be used to protect a wide variety of land, including farms, forests, historic areas, wildlife habitats, and scenic views. All of these lands provide significant value to the community, through quality of life, clean air and water, outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing, hunting, bird watching, hiking, boating, biking, and canoeing, as well as preserving a sense of place, such as a rural area like the French Broad River Corridor.