An Introduction to Land Conservation
for Religious Congregations and Spiritual Communities

Religious and spiritual communities are at a historic moment when many are anticipating the transfer or sale of community-owned lands. People of faith over the past centuries have considered that they hold community lands in trust or stewardship for the purpose of mission and ministry. We must address that trust now as we foresee the coming change in our relationship to lands and ministry.

What Does Stewardship Require?

For a religious community, responsible land stewardship or disposition requires knowledge of:

• What is special about the land, such as ecological, scenic, or historical features
• The land's function in the natural world, as well as its importance to the religious community and to residents of the surrounding area
• Current use of the land for agricultural, recreational, residential, worship, open space purposes, etc.
• Current or potential needs of the religious and larger communities

--  financial circumstances

--  expanding or dwindling numbers in religious community

-- desirable uses for structures, such as affordable housing or schools

• The potential for more environmentally responsible uses, such as:

--  wildlife sanctuary

--  nature shrine (area off-limits to humans)

--  restore/recover, such as reforestation or prairie restoration

--  farm which supplies community food needs

--  reversion to pastureland, wetlands

--  encouraging agricultural diversity

• Internal and external influences and constraints on the land's use or disposition:

--  deed or donation-related restrictions

--  larger church's property disposition process and needs

--  zoning or other environmental regulations, etc.

Defining Objectives for the Land

Once a community has defined a new vision of land, its members must use that vision and protect the land. Land Trusts can assist communities in defining their objectives for the land and obtaining knowledge about conservation techniques and options.

Considering Adequate Protection for the Land

When a property includes special environmental, historic, and scenic factors, local laws and regulations may not be sufficient to protect its qualities. A land trust can assist in determining if local laws and regulations give adequate weight to the special qualities of your land.