Model language can be used by other land trusts
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests received a generous grant from the New Hampshire Bar Foundation’s J. Albert and Mildred E. Lynch Fund in support of an updated model conservation easement deed.
"Conservation easements are legal documents that must keep pace with changes to IRS regulations and standards established by the Land Trust Alliance," said Brian Hotz, the Forest Society's vice president of land conservation. "While every conservation easement can differ somewhat depending on the goals of the landowner, we rely heavily on model conservation easement deed language." The Forest Society is an LTA accredited land trust.
The NHBF grant enabled the Forest Society staff to work with attorneys to update the language in the standard conservation easement. Once completed, the model CE will be made available at no charge to other land trusts in the state who choose to make use of it.
The N.H. Bar Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors committed to ensuring equal access to the justice system for all residents and managed by a staff dedicated to the mission and vision of the organization.
"We appreciate the N.H. Bar Foundation's support," said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. "They understand that the detailed language we use to conserve land through easements is an important part of our ability to defend those easements over time."