Land Conservation

As a statewide, non-profit land trust, the primary tool the New Mexico Land Conservancy employs to protect land is the conservation easement.  The majority of the land conservation projects that the New Mexico Land Conservancy has completed have involved working directly on donated conservation easements with private landowners, who may then be eligible for certain federal and state tax benefits associated with those donations.  Where funding is available, conservation easements can also occasionally be purchased. The New Mexico Land Conservancy has completed several purchased conservation easements.  We also occasionally accept transfers of conservation easements from other land trusts. 

The New Mexico Land Conservancy provides conservation stewardship, monitoring and legal defense to all of the conservation easements it holds.  It has created a special Stewardship Fund in which it has set aside and pooled funds for these specific purposes. The New Mexico Land Conservancy provides compliance monitoring of all of its easements on at least an annual basis.  In the event of a violation, the New Mexico Land Conservancy can also draw upon its Stewardship Fund to legally defend the easement and, if necessary, pay for any restoration or remediation of the easement property resulting from a violation.          

On a limited basis, the New Mexico Land Conservancy also has the capacity to directly assist or partner with conservation organizations; community groups; and local, state and federal agencies to acquire conservation easements and other property interests (fee title) on their behalf.  The New Mexico Land Conservancy does not have its own funding to acquire conservation easements and purchase land, but where public and private funding is available, the New Mexico Land Conservancy has the expertise to facilitate the acquisition of property interests on behalf of other public and private entities.  On projects having significant conservation values and community interest/support, the New Mexico Land Conservancy can also work with conservation organizations, community groups and government agencies to help secure public and private funding to acquire specific property interests.  The New Mexico Land Conservancy is willing to acquire and hold conservation easements on behalf of other public and private entities, but does not currently own and manage any conservation land directly.  The New Mexico Land Conservancy is willing to consider donations of land from private landowners.

In addition to the services described above, the New Mexico Land Conservancy can also work with conservation organizations, community groups and government agencies to identify key lands and develop conservation strategies to protect them.

Should you have any further questions or inquiries please contact us.