What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose of PEC's Conservation Buyer Program is to encourage the protection of important lands in the Piedmont by informing conservation-minded buyers of available properties with conservation values. These buyers can acquire and enjoy exquisite properties and, at the same time, protect them for future generations.

How does the program work?

PEC monitors real estate listings and works directly with real estate agents and brokers so that we stay abreast of conservation properties when they come on the market. When a potential conservation buyer contacts PEC, we try to match them with an available property and the listing agent. If a potential conservation buyer is interested in a particular region, then the PEC staff may put them in touch with several real estate firms. There is a cadre of conservation-minded real estate professionals with whom PEC has developed a good working relationship.

What is a "conservation buyer"?

A conservation buyer is a real estate buyer who appreciates and wants to protect the scenic, historic, agricultural, and natural resource values of a property and who is willing to work with PEC to protect these values with a conservation easement. To qualify a conservation buyer, PEC will first explain what a conservation easement is and make sure that the potential buyer is interested in protecting the land they intend to purchase.

What is a "conservation easement"?

A conservation easement is a voluntary written agreement between a landowner and a government agency or charitable organization (in Virginia, most conservation easements are donated to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation) that protects the special qualities of the land by permanently limiting future development of the landowner's property. Traditional uses of the land, such as farming and hunting, can be continued and, depending on the acreage involved, the right to build one or more houses may be retained. In return for giving up development rights, the landowner may receive significant tax benefits, including a federal income tax deduction, a Virginia state income tax credit, estate tax reductions, and, in some instances, lower property taxes.

How can I participate?

You can become a conservation buyer! You can also mention our conservation buyer program to other people you know who are interested in buying land in the Piedmont. If you have listed your property for sale and it has significant scenic, natural, historic, and/or agricultural values, then PEC will refer potential conservation buyers to the listing agent. PEC works cooperatively with the region's real estate community and does not intend to compete with real estate agents or act as a broker. PEC's role is to educate purchasers about the importance of conserving land in the Piedmont (through the use of conservation easements) and to serve as an information resource about properties in need of protection.

For more information call: Rex Linville at 434-977-2033 ext. 23 or rlinville[at]pecva.org