People conserve their land for many reasons, but they all share a common motive—a deep love for it. Whether solidifying a family legacy of farming or ranching, creating a sanctuary for endangered wildlife, safeguarding natural resources or simply cherishing the landscape's beauty, individuals and organizations partner with Ducks Unlimited (DU) to ensure their land is protected for generations to come.
Why Protect Your Land?
- Control Over Your Land's Future: Protect your land while maintaining ownership and agricultural use, ensuring your vision for its future is fulfilled.
- Tax Incentives: Benefit from potential federal and state tax deductions and financial incentives for land preservation.
- Environmental Conservation: Safeguard critical wildlife habitats and natural resources while supporting biodiversity.
- Lasting Legacy: Leave a lasting legacy for your family and future generations by protecting the land that sustains them.
Land Protection Options
Ducks Unlimited works with landowners to develop customized conservation plans that balance agricultural productivity with preservation goals. Here's how the process works:
Conservation Easements
Voluntary agreements that protect your land from future development and subdivision while maintaining private ownership.
Collaborative Planning
Tailored solutions to meet your specific needs, whether it's preserving farmland, restoring habitats or planning for succession.
Financial Incentives
Guidance on securing tax benefits and accessing cash payments for land conservation efforts.
How To Get Started
- Contact DU: DU staff can walk you through the process of donating a conservation easement.
- Property Assessment: Benefit from potential federal and state tax deductions and financial incentives for land preservation.
- Discuss Terms: A regional biologist will schedule a site visit to evaluate the habitat and determine if it aligns with DU's conservation mission.
- Conduct Property Research and Due Diligence: Once easements are agreed upon, DU will help navigate the process and time while the landowner completes needed documentation, including the appraisal, title work, and a property baseline report.
- Seal the Deal: After everything is in order, the conservation easement is signed and officially recorded with the recording clerk of the local county or town.
Get Involved
Since 1937, we have worked with farmers and producers to find science-based solutions and implement sustainable practices on agriculture lands.
Chad Mitchell
Delaware Poultry Farmer
“Without the partnership between Ducks Unlimited and NRCS to help landowners restore habitat, I wouldn't have done this. All I had to do was make the call, and they took over. It was pretty straightforward and that's not very common these days."
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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DU tries to work with operations of all sizes, where programs exist. Reach out to learn how we can help you.
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Please click here to learn what opportunities exist in your location. Reach out to learn how we can help you.
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Not necessarily. We do often work in partnership with agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and can help administer that process, but often our programs are slightly different and involve a blend of partners.
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This can vary depending on the program, but most are around five years. DU recognizes that practice change can be intimidating and often requires flexibility for extenuating circumstances. We view our work with private landowners as joint partnerships; not contractual relationships.
