Land Division & Access Challenges on Conservation Easements

Whether you are new to land trust work or a seasoned practitioner, you know that land division and land trust access rights can be challenging to deal with on conservation easement properties. Land trust staff and board members, whether focusing on stewardship or acquisitions, will appreciate getting practical information on land division and access issues from attorneys Alice Jones (Open Land Law, PLLC) and Amy Schwarz (General Counsel at Minnesota Land Trust). Participants will also hear from Ryan Stutzman (Conservation Easement Manager for Five Valleys Land Trust), who will share a thought-provoking and informative case study.

​Here’s a look at what we will cover:

• ​Typical land division prohibition language and what it means, including how to identify a prohibited land division, how to prevent one and what to do if a prohibited division does occur.

• ​Typical access challenges in both the acquisition and stewardship contexts, including the difference between physical access and legal access, access for the land trust’s monitoring and enforcement activities and common practices.

• ​Preventative measures in easement drafting and stewardship to avoid land division and access challenges.

• ​How and when to notify Terrafirma.

​This webinar is included in the 2025 Annual Webinar Pass.

Participants in Land Trust Alliance events should review and agree to the Alliance Code of Conduct.