How do I choose an easement holder?
Your first step is to choose a conservation agency or nonprofit you trust to hold and monitor your conservation easement in perpetuity. It’s important to choose an easement holder that shares your goals and has the professionalism and capacity to fulfill the contractual obligations of an easement.
The easement holder’s main responsibility is to ensure that no present or future owners exercise or permit the uses prohibited by the easement agreement. Different organizations handle this responsibility differently, so look for easement holders who will permanently commit the time and resources to monitor and enforce your easement’s restrictions.
Easements may be held by public or private entities. Eligible public agencies are listed in Iowa Code Section 457A.1. They include the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and county conservation boards. Private, nonprofit organizations (such as INHF, The Nature Conservancy and many others) are also qualified easement holders.
