How Does Middlebury Land Trust Acquire Natural Areas?
In one of two ways: by gift or by purchase. Gifts of land may be received either by deed or by legacy from the owner. There is considerable flexibility on the part of Middlebury Land Trust in accommodating the requirements of the Donor with respect to the type of interest the Donor may wish to give. Thus, in addition to an out-right conveyance of land, a Donor may convey partial interests in land over a period of years (for example, an undivided one-tenth per year), or reserve the right to live on or use the land for the remainder of his or her life, or may convey a conservation easement. In granting a conservation easement, the Donor gives up only his or her development rights in the land. The Donor retains all other property rights, including the freedom to use the land and enjoy it in any way that is consistent with its open and natural character.
