Landowners in the Willistown area are the primary stewards of the natural and historic heritage of our countryside. Fortunately, the use of conservation easements provides a flexible option for private landowners who wish to preserve the natural resources of their lands while still meeting their financial objectives. A conservation easement is a flexible tool that protects land while leaving it in private ownership. It is a legal and binding agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization such as the Willistown Conservation Trust. The easement exists in perpetuity, is recorded with the deed to the property, and applies to all future owners.

Conservation easements benefit the environment, the community, and the landowner. Chester County, with its abundance of open space and preserved land, published the Return on Environment study in May 2019. That report helps illustrate the many benefits of preserved land. The Trust was a proud participant in this report and you can learn more about it here on our website.

Willistown Conservation Trust walks landowners through the process, beginning with understanding the landowner’s individual needs and desires in planning for the future of your property. We will then work closely with you to design a Conservation Plan which will preserve the natural and scenic characteristics of your property, meet your specific financial objectives, and further the conservation goals of the Trust and the community.

To learn more about the easement process, read our publication Heroes of the Countryside or email Erik Hetzel, Director of Land Protection.