Developing the next generation of easement appraisers

Accurate and timely appraisals by qualified professionals are a key component of virtually all land conservation transactions. Across the country, the rate of conservation is limited by an acute shortage of qualified appraisers to conduct them. The problem will only get worse with imminent retirements — the average age of appraisers is over 60 — and there aren’t enough new appraisers becoming licensed to replace them. As a result, conservation projects are being delayed or set aside with some landowners unwilling to wait for land trusts to complete their valuations.

The Land Trust Alliance is leading an effort to increase the pool of qualified appraisers, which is limiting the pace of land conservation across the country. The Alliance recently received a grant from an anonymous foundation to fund a blended approach of education, awareness building and networking aimed at helping provide the course work, connections and relationships with and knowledge of the market to general and commercial appraisers who don’t yet work with land trusts.

The Alliance is partnering with the Appraisal Institute to deliver subsidized trainings to licensed appraisers about conservation easement valuation and Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition (i.e., Yellow Book standards). The courses will be held in 2023 – with the first one starting at the end of May – in various locations throughout Massachusetts.