Long Island Conservation Alliance Educates Homeowners on Conservation Easements

As one of the most densely populated islands on the planet, Long Island faces unique ecological pressures, making restoration and resilience work especially urgent. The Long Island Conservation Alliance is helping homeowners better understand the financial incentives available through conservation easements, an important tool that conserves environmentally significant land while providing potential tax benefits to property owners.

“The financial incentives available through conservation easements can make land conservation a practical option for many homeowners,” said Devon Giordano, executive director of the Long Island Conservation Alliance. “By increasing awareness of these opportunities, we hope to empower more residents to steward Long Island's natural resources while also planning for their financial future.”

Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that place permanent limits on a property to preserve its natural or agricultural value. In addition to conserving wildlife habitat and water quality, these agreements may offer substantial financial advantages for eligible homeowners.

One of the biggest incentives for conservation easements is a potential federal income tax deduction. Homeowners who donate a qualifying conservation easement may be able to deduct the value of the easement as a charitable contribution. Depending on the property's characteristics and development potential, the value of the easement can range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars.

Qualified landowners may deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income each year, with any unused deductions carried forward for up to 15 years. For example, if a property valued at $1.5 million loses $400,000 in development value as a result of a conservation easement, the homeowner may be able to claim that amount as a charitable deduction over time, subject to applicable tax laws.

Conservation easements may also reduce estate taxes by permanently lowering a property's market value. For families interested in preserving land for future generations, this can help reduce the taxable value of an estate while ensuring the property is conserved.

In addition, homeowners may realize property tax savings in some jurisdictions. Because conservation easements remove or limit development rights, they can reduce a property's assessed value, although the amount varies based on local assessment practices and individual property characteristics.

About the Long Island Conservation Alliance

The Long Island Conservation Alliance is a science‑driven, community‑rooted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring ecological function across Long Island’s most vulnerable landscapes. As one of the most densely populated islands on the planet, Long Island faces unique ecological pressures, making restoration and resilience work especially urgent.

The Long Island Conservation Alliance rebuilds native ecosystems, strengthens biodiversity, and improves the resilience of natural systems that support the health and well-being of local communities. In addition to its restoration work, the Alliance leads three signature youth programs—Tykes That Hike, Sprout Squad, and the Youth Leadership Ambassadors—which empower children and teens to develop ecological literacy, emotional resilience, and a lifelong connection to nature. Through habitat restoration, invasive species removal, native plantings, youth engagement, and long‑term ecological monitoring, the Alliance advances measurable, science‑based conservation outcomes across the region.

Also, as an official land trust, the Long Island Conservation Alliance works with communities and nonprofit organizations to protect, restore and steward land across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

For more information, visit longislandconservationalliance.org.