Before NCNR takes on the responsibility of holding a conservation easement, the easement meet the criteria set by the Board of Directors and Land Trust Committee: provide public benefit, preserve the beauty of the New River Watershed, and that NCNR can carry out the responsibility of perpetual monitoring.

To qualify, lands must include at least one of these requirements:

• Land contains wetlands, floodplains and riparian habitats that provide protection of water quality, fish, wildlife and scenic beauty.
• Land actively farmed that provides significant open space values and is consistent with local government interest in maintaining agricultural uses of the New River Watershed.
• Land in a relatively natural or undisturbed environment.
• Land important to open space due to its proximity to a community or municipality.
• Land threatened by negative development that would diminish the open space or scenic views of the New or other protected areas.
• Land large enough that its preserved resources will remain unharmed even if adjacent lands are developed.
• Land that contains endangered, threatened, or rare species, natural communities designated by the Natural Heritage Program or provide important wildlife habitat.

The following conditions may lead to the Board of Directors deciding not to pursue a proposed project:

• The land area is small, with little likelihood that adjacent lands will be protected.
• Adjacent properties have been developed, or are planned for development that will significantly diminish the conservation values of the land in question.
• The landowner insists on provisions in an easement that are not consistent with the goals of NCNR and/or would significantly diminish the public resource values of the property.

Conservation Options l Criteria l Tax Benefits l Protected Lands