Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What does a conservation easement specifically aim to restrict?

1. Commercial development

2. All private property use

3. Future land use for preservation or conservation

4. Residential property modifications

The correct answer is: Future land use for preservation or conservation

A conservation easement is a legal agreement that aims to restrict the development and use of land in order to protect its conservation values. By focusing on the future land use, the easement is primarily concerned with ensuring that the land remains in a natural or preserved state, preventing alterations that could threaten the ecological integrity of the area. This can include restrictions on activities that would lead to development, such as building structures or changing the land dramatically. The essence of a conservation easement is to maintain the land's environmental characteristics—such as its wildlife habitat, open space, or scenic values. This is not just about preventing development, but rather about safeguarding the land for future generations in a way that aligns with conservation efforts. Thus, the answer correctly identifies the overarching goal of a conservation easement: to control how land can be used in the future with regard to preservation and conservation.