About Texas Land Trusts
Texas landowners have a variety of options available to them which can preserve and protect the special qualities of their property. The land trust organizations in the Texas Land Trust Directory work with landowners to help them meet their long-term land use objectives. These organizations may be willing to purchase land or accept donated properties and easements for conservation purposes. These tools can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the property owner.
Land trusts have varying conservation objectives. Some work in specific geographic areas, or concentrate on protecting different natural or cultural features. Land trusts offer various conservation approaches - many of the organizations willingly hold conservation easements or provide technical assistance to landowners; they may buy or accept donated lands; many provide local conservation education and planning assistance. Also listed in this directory are organizations in Texas that advise property owners on their land conservation options, but do not accept land donations or manage conservation easement agreements.
Land trusts are a creative answer to today's land conservation challenges. They offer a flexible, cooperative and effective approach to land conservation. Land trusts are the fastest growing conservation movement today, with new land trusts forming at an average rate of more than one per week. America's 1,500 plus land trusts protect millions of acres of farms, ranches, wetlands, wildlife habitat, urban parks, forests, watersheds, coastlines and river corridors.
Texas' land trusts operate at a statewide, regional and community level throughout the state. Land trusts in Texas help conserve more than 1,000,000 acres.
| Conservation Method | Sites | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Easement | 182 | 444,309 |
| Fee Simple | 212 | 184,653 |
| Transfer/Assist | 131 | 433,627 |
| Conservation/Buyer | 7 | 9,043 |
| Lease/Life Estate | 27 | 8,821 |
| Total | 1,080,454 | |
Texas Land Trust Council