EASEMENTS
What is a conservation easement? How do they work? Conservation easements involve the acquisition of limited rights on private lands for conservation purposes. These are voluntary conservation easements. Landowners who go through this process receive a payment to stop cropping or grazing their land, and establish native grasses, forbs, trees and/or wetland restorations on the land. Conservation easements can either be perpetual (forever) or limited duration easements, depending on what programs are available. Find more information below on some Conservation Easements that Le Sueur County SWCD helps with.
Click HERE to view "A Landowner's Guide to BWSR Conservation Easements
CREP
Landowners looking to leave a lasting legacy have the option to enroll land into the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MN CREP). MN CREP is a federal-state funded, science-based, conservation program that results in a perpetual easement.
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Click HERE for the Program Flyer. View the BWSR website HERE to find out more information.
RIM WETLANDS
The RIM Wetlands program is a state conservation easement program. Landowners will receive compensation for taking land out of production and constructing wetland restorations. This voluntary program targets environmentally sensitive land. RIM hopes to achieve reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment run-off, protect vulnerable drinking water supply, and enhance grassland and wetland habitat for wildlife. RIM results in a permanent easement, which gives landowners the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on the land while still receiving fair compensation.​
