Conservation easements play an important role in protecting natural landscapes and sensitive habitats, and promoting sustainable land use practices. In this course, students will explore the principles, applications, controversies, and implications of this land policy instrument.

The course begins with an introduction and overview of conservation easements, setting the stage for the exploration of their uses in land policy. Throughout the modules, students will review the uses, legal principles, valuation methods, and federal tax provisions associated with conservation easements while gaining insights from real-world examples and exploring strategies to address controversial aspects of this tool.