For a list of DEC-managed recreation lands, including conservation easements with recreational opportunities, see the Places to Go page.
What a Conservation Easement Is
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement that protects the natural resources of a parcel of land by restricting future land use and/or development on the property "in perpetuity" (permanently). This agreement is held between a private landowner and a government agency or land trust, with the landowner maintaining ownership. The conservation easement can either be sold or donated, resulting in a variety of tax benefits for the landowner. The easement is recorded with the property's deed and transfers to all future landowners.
The natural resources and landscape values that conservation easements aim to protect include water quality, wildlife habitat, sensitive ecosystems, wetlands, riparian areas, scenic areas, working forests, and historic sites. All DEC conservation easements prioritize environmental protection, with many allowing some level of public recreational access. There are more than 900,000 acres of conservation easement lands managed by DEC's Division of Lands and Forests in New York State. While most of these lands are located within the Adirondack Park and Tug Hill Plateau, DEC also holds conservation easements on a variety of other properties around the state.
Every Conservation Easement is Unique
The purpose and terms of each conservation easement are tailored to the specific characteristics of each property, and most are designed to meet multiple conservation objectives. For example, an easement intended to conserve a scenic area will have different restrictions than an easement designed to protect an endangered species habitat. Some prohibit all future development, while others allow for limited new construction or other improvements. Most easements allow traditional uses of the land such as forestry, agriculture or recreation to continue as long as the conservation goals of the property are being met.
Recreational Opportunities
Most conservation easement properties provide recreational opportunities. The amount and type of public access depends on the goals and objectives of the landowner at the time the easement was negotiated, as well as the natural resources being protected by the easement. DEC’s working forest conservation easements provide public access to hundreds of thousands of acres of private land. However, public access may be suspended or relocated when forest management activities are underway. Many working forest landowners also rely on income from private hunt club leases, so public hunting may be restricted or prohibited in certain areas of the property.
Recreation Management Planning
Public recreational opportunities on conservation easement lands are managed through a recreation management plan (RMP) prepared by DEC with input from the public. These documents address existing natural resources, land uses, and laws and policies, as well as plans for future recreational development. When a property is first acquired by DEC, an interim recreation management plan (IRMP) is often developed so that some existing public recreational opportunities can be immediately offered while a formal RMP is developed.
Public access opportunities vary among conservation easements. Prior to visiting conservation easement lands, learn more about these opportunities on DEC’s recreation web pages or contact the DEC Lands and Forests office nearest to the easement property.
Working Forest Conservation Easements
Working forest conservation easements allow the landowner to professionally manage the forests on the conservation easement property so that it remains available for sustainable forestry in perpetuity (permanently). DEC has acquired working forest conservation easements on over 800,000 acres of land. Primarily in the Adirondacks, these easements account for 90% of the total acreage of DEC-held conservation easements.
Most working forest conservation easements require landowners to develop and update detailed forest management plans that integrate sustainable forest management with the conservation of soil, water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, historical significance, recreation, and aesthetics. A forest management plan must be in place prior to any forest management activities being conducted on the conservation easement property.
Open Space Conservation in New York State
DEC has been a national leader in protecting open space through its conservation easement program. Utilizing funding from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and implementing priorities identified in the Open Space Conservation Plan, the program keeps land in private ownership and on local tax rolls, while achieving tremendous environmental and outdoor recreation benefits.
In 2022, New York State enacted 30x30 legislation stating “it shall be the goal of the state to support and contribute to national efforts to conserve at least thirty percent of United States lands and inland waters and at least thirty percent of United States ocean areas by the year two thousand thirty.” New York State’s 30x30 strategies proposes several land conservation tools, including the use of conservation easements, to protect water sources and watersheds, preserve biodiversity through habitat conservation and restoration, expand public access to nature and the outdoors, and increase climate resilience, mitigate extreme heat, and prevent erosion and flooding.
How to Learn More
For more information on a specific DEC conservation easement, contact the DEC Lands and Forests office nearest to the conservation easement property you are interested in.
