Donated Easements

Donated easements occur when landowners donate certain rights of developing land to a governmental agency or to an approved entity such as GALT. The landowner retains private ownership and the right to use the land for agriculture, timber, recreation, etc. In some cases, there can be tax benefits from the donation (seek professional tax advice). Visit FAQs at the Land Trust Alliance to learn more about donated easements.

While donating an easement does not make your land available to public use, some landowners do choose to open their land to the public. Rising Fawn Gardens was featured in the 2019 Conservationist Magazine. It is a wonderful example of property under conservation easement that is used for public benefit and enjoyment. Learn about Rising Fawn Gardens and other properties with public use.

PROTECTED PROPERTY GALLERY

623 acres along the Alabama River in Dallas County, Alabama. This Property is in close proximity to public land managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and private land protected in a conservation easement also protected by GALT. There are beautifu

623 acres along the Alabama River in Dallas County, Alabama. This Property is in close proximity to public land managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and private land protected in a conservation easement also protected by GALT. There are beautiful mesic hardwood forests on the Property along with floodplain forests that occasionally flood when the river rises. These floodplain forests provide a unique habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna that utilize these shaded waterways. Cypress trees thrive in this environment, and many can be found with their knobby knees sticking up from the marshy soil.

618 acres in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. On the Property is found Harper’s Wild Ginger which is a native herbaceous perennial in the Birthwort family. This rare species occurs in hillside seeps, forested bogs, and along spring runs. There is also an

618 acres in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. On the Property is found Harper’s Wild Ginger which is a native herbaceous perennial in the Birthwort family. This rare species occurs in hillside seeps, forested bogs, and along spring runs. There is also an active bald eagle nest in a large pine tree near the lake. The proximity of the nest to the lake, Arthur Creek, and the Tombigbee River provides suitable habitat for the protected bald eagle.

188 acres in Thomas County, Georgia with beautiful cypress swamp and natural quail habitat. The quail were so abundant I almost ran them over!

188 acres in Thomas County, Georgia with beautiful cypress swamp and natural quail habitat. The quail were so abundant I almost ran them over!

Approx 190 acres in Lee County, Alabama. Of the 190 acres, 34 acres are mesic hardwood forest, 36 are floodplain forest and 42 acres are dry hardwood mixed pine forest, all of which are high priority habitats. Some other property highlights include p

Approx 190 acres in Lee County, Alabama. Of the 190 acres, 34 acres are mesic hardwood forest, 36 are floodplain forest and 42 acres are dry hardwood mixed pine forest, all of which are high priority habitats. Some other property highlights include protecting 0.5 miles of Loblockee Creek located within the HUC 10 Sougahatchee Creek watershed (Priority Watershed). Some of the species observed include Northern Cricket frog, Brown-headed nuthatch, red-shouldered hawk, hairy woodpecker, hermit thrush and white-tailed deer.

Approx 50 acres in St. Clair County, Alabama. This Property borders Neely Henry Lake and has some beautiful mesic hardwood habitat. This habitat type tends to be highly fragmented within the state and usually composed of early successional forests du

Approx 50 acres in St. Clair County, Alabama. This Property borders Neely Henry Lake and has some beautiful mesic hardwood habitat. This habitat type tends to be highly fragmented within the state and usually composed of early successional forests due to repeated harvesting. The mesic habitat and edges along the water also provide foraging ground for rusty blackbird, a species that has undergone one of the more precipitous and puzzling recent declines of any North American songbird.

Approx 553 acres in Dallas County, Alabama. This easement is located in the rural Black Belt and protects beautiful farmland and forest. The Property has a unique habitat known as the Southern Coastal Plain Limestone Forest which is most commonly fou

Approx 553 acres in Dallas County, Alabama. This easement is located in the rural Black Belt and protects beautiful farmland and forest. The Property has a unique habitat known as the Southern Coastal Plain Limestone Forest which is most commonly found in the Black Belt region of Alabama and a few other states. This calcareous forest is usually comprised of several diverse plant communities and is floristically unique among Coastal Plain forests.

GALT protected 210 acres in Chattooga County, Georgia. This easement protects roughly 4,500 feet of Little Armuchee Creek and over 6,000 feet of intermittent and ephemeral drainages which run directly into the creek. The Property also has 90 acres of

GALT protected 210 acres in Chattooga County, Georgia. This easement protects roughly 4,500 feet of Little Armuchee Creek and over 6,000 feet of intermittent and ephemeral drainages which run directly into the creek. The Property also has 90 acres of mesic hardwood forest and 22 acres of pine-oak forests, both of which are Georgia State High Priority Habitats in the region.

The Land Trust was able to protect 144 acres in Jackson County, Alabama. The fields in this property are seasonally flooded to provide habitat for waterfowl. Because waterfowl are social and concentrated during the nonbreeding months, a significant

The Land Trust was able to protect 144 acres in Jackson County, Alabama. The fields in this property are seasonally flooded to provide habitat for waterfowl. Because waterfowl are social and concentrated during the nonbreeding months, a significant number of birds can be supported on Properties like this. This Property is also home to a healthy population of red-headed woodpeckers, a species that is estimated to have been in decline since 1966.

The Land Trust protected 496 acres in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Binion Creek and Sam Norris Branch run through the Property and provide a unique floodplain forest habitat to the plants and animals in the area. The hardwood forests on the property a

The Land Trust protected 496 acres in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Binion Creek and Sam Norris Branch run through the Property and provide a unique floodplain forest habitat to the plants and animals in the area. The hardwood forests on the property are dotted with small springs and a cover of Christmas ferns on the ground.

GALT protected another 361 acres in St. Clair County, Alabama. This beautiful Property aids in the health of the Big Canoe Creek Watershed and is home to species such as white-eyed vireo, American goldfinch, goatweed leafwing, and spicebush swallowt

GALT protected another 361 acres in St. Clair County, Alabama. This beautiful Property aids in the health of the Big Canoe Creek Watershed and is home to species such as white-eyed vireo, American goldfinch, goatweed leafwing, and spicebush swallowtail.

The Land Trust protected a 100 acre property in Jackson County, Alabama. This beautiful property consists of hardwood and pine forests and is seasonally used for duck hunting.

The Land Trust protected a 100 acre property in Jackson County, Alabama. This beautiful property consists of hardwood and pine forests and is seasonally used for duck hunting.

we protected 618 acres in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. On the Property is found Harper’s Wild Ginger which is a native herbaceous perennial in the Birthwort family. This rare species occurs in hillside seeps, forested bogs, and along spring runs. Ther

we protected 618 acres in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. On the Property is found Harper’s Wild Ginger which is a native herbaceous perennial in the Birthwort family. This rare species occurs in hillside seeps, forested bogs, and along spring runs. There is also an active bald eagle nest on the Property in a large pine tree near the lake. The proximity of the nest to the lake, Arthur Creek, and the Tombigbee River provides suitable habitat for the protected bald eagles. The Floodplain Forest, an ASWAP designated key habitat, is protected along with the streams and riparian areas. This will reduce water quality degradation and provide suitable habitat for many plants and animals. *Harper's Wild Ginger photo credit Howard E. Horne

We were able to protect 600 acres in Jackson County, Alabama. A large portion of this property was previously used as a sandstone quarry but has been reclaimed over the past two decades. Isn't it amazing how a property can be transformed back to a n

We were able to protect 600 acres in Jackson County, Alabama. A large portion of this property was previously used as a sandstone quarry but has been reclaimed over the past two decades. Isn't it amazing how a property can be transformed back to a natural state? The property now consists of pastures used to raise cattle, managed pine stands and natural hardwood forests. Riparian buffers along Hogue Creek are especially protected as a preservation area. This landowner has now protected over 1,400 acres with the Land Trust!