Protecting Your Land
Green Spaces Alliance is dedicated to preserving South Texas’ unique environment. As a land trust, we work with landowners by placing development restrictions on the property preserving the natural condition of the land in perpetuity.
Our land conservation experts will help you setup a conservation easement, allowing you and your heirs to continue to own the property, while committing to maintain its current natural condition.
Interested in learning more? Call us at 210-222-8430 or email us at clay@greensatx.org
Land Conservation Programs We Work With
- Edwards Aquifer Protection Program
- Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI)
- Private Land Conservation
The City of San Antonio’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program works with willing landowners who voluntarily elect to conserve their land in Bexar, Medina, and Uvalde counties. As the goal of the EAPP is to ensure water quality and quantity, a team of experts uses scientific criteria including ecological, biological, and hydrological to evaluate the potential of the land under consideration to contribute toward aquifer recharge.
More information on the City’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program can be found here
Green Spaces Alliance works with the Air Force around Lackland and Randolph bases to manage the uses and development of properties outside the base to support the military mission of that installation.
Independent landowners seeking assistance in preserving their property through conservation easements.
To learn more about any of these conservation programs call us at 210-222-8430 or email at land conservation@greensatx.org for more information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Land Trust?
A land trust is a nonprofit organization that works to protect natural areas by negotiating voluntary agreements with private property owners to leave their land undeveloped in perpetuity. The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation. A land trust becomes accredited only after a rigorous process to verify the organization meets national standards. The seal identifies land trusts that are accredited and meet national standards for excellence, uphold public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent.
What is a Conservation Easement?
A conservation easement agreement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency. Under a conservation easement, land remains in private ownership, and is maintained in its current natural condition, not developed, thus protecting important conservation values. The landowner retains his or her current use of the property, can sell or pass it on to heirs, and agrees to allow periodic monitoring to ensure that the conservation values described in the easement are upheld.
Can I still use my property with a conservation easement on it?
Yes. However, an easement on property will define what restrictions or activities are prohibited. An easement may apply to just a portion of the property, and it need not require public access.
Will GSA own my land?
No. The property owner retains ownership. As an accredited land trust, Green Spaces Alliance is a qualified holder of conservation easements. When you donate a conservation easement to a qualified holder, you give up some of the rights associated with the land, which may include developing or exploring for mineral resources on that land. The land trust holds those rights that were given up in perpetuity.
Do I receive tax benefits for conserving my land?
In order to encourage the donation of conservation easements on eligible land to a qualified holder, the Federal Tax Code permits qualified donors of conservation easements to deduct the value of the conservation easement. Consult with your tax professional for actual benefits on your property.
The value of a conservation easement is the difference in fair market value of the property before and after the conservation easement is placed on the property.
What are the types of conservation easements?
The donated conservation easement, full financial compensation for the value of the easement, and bargain sale. A bargain sale occurs when the landowner isn’t fully compensated for the value of the easement placed on the property. In that case, the landowner may be able to receive a charitable deduction for the value of the conservation easement for which he or she hasn’t received compensation.