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Abstract
Interest in conservation easements
has grown, but relatively little is
known about agricultural
landowner preferences for
conservation easements. Survey
data are collected, segmented by
landowner respondents’ states of
residence, and analyzed. Responses
indicate landowners are interested
in preserving agricultural lands, but
the majority of respondents were
not interested in choosing
conservation easement scenarios.
Results suggest that interaction
with conservation organizations,
mistrust of land trusts, knowledge
of easements, and less financial
dependence on agriculture impacts
preferences for conservation
easements. The authors suggest
that increased educational
information and tradable income
tax credits may improve landowner
acceptance of conservation
easements.