Land Trust
WHO IS OPEN STACE STL?
We are an environmental nonprofit, established in 1965 to maintain integrity of land and waterways for recreation, practical purposes, and their natural beauty. Work to conserve and sustain land, water, and other natural resources throughout the STL region. Volunteer events accumulate thousands of stewardship hours annually for restoring native habitat. Our programs: Operation Clean Stream, Operation Wild Lands, Trash Bash, and Community Stewardship Alliance see over 3,000 volunteers annually.
We create or expand public lands and secure green spaces and protect conservation values for future generations to enjoy. Since 1965, we’ve directly and indirectly been involved with the preservation of over 10,000 acres of land in the area, both public and private land. Join Open Space STL in our mission to preserve and protect the natural beauty of our region!
Our team at Open Space STL is dedicated to working closely with landowners who share our passion for conservation. If you're considering donating a conservation easement on your property, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
WHAT IS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, YOU MIGHT ASK?
It’s a voluntary agreement that allows you to maintain ownership of your land while committing to limit development. This means you can still enjoy your property just as you do now, with the added benefit of knowing it will remain protected for generations to come.
WHY CHOOSE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT?
1. Flexibility: With a conservation easement, your land can still be used for various purposes, such as farming and sustainable timber harvesting. You can even have structures like houses and barns within designated areas while keeping the rest of the land untouched.
2. Privacy: Your land remains yours to enjoy, sell, or pass on to your heirs. There's no requirement to grant public access, so you can maintain the privacy of your property.
3. Tax Benefits: Protecting your land through a conservation easement may offer tax advantages, potentially reducing your income or estate taxes.
4. Permanence: Once a conservation easement is in place, it's forever. It's a commitment that stays with the land, regardless of ownership changes. At Open Space STL, we ensure that the terms of the easement are upheld for generations to come.
In addition to conservation easements, some landowners choose to donate or sell their land outright to Open Space STL. This allows the property to be managed as a nature preserve or conservation area. Not only does this approach offer tax benefits, but it also ensures that the land will be protected and cherished for years to come. Join us in preserving the beauty of our region for future generations!
Open Space STL has adopted the Land Trust Alliance’s “Land Trust Standards and Practices”. Open Space STL uses a variety of tools and works with a diverse number of public and private organizations to conserve open space.
Open Space STL is actively pursuing land acquisitions across the region. Open Space STL uses a variety of mechanisms to conserve land in the St. Louis region. Some of them involve placing conservation easements on properties, negotiating bargain sales, donations or other land conservation measures.
Are you interested in reading more about the history of land trusts and the benefits they provide? Check out the following website for more info: https://landtrustalliance.org/why-land-matters/land-conservation/about-land-trusts.
Interested in donating land or contributing to our land conservation fund? Fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch!