In 2010, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association will develop model language and guidance for implementing stewardship fees (including transfer fees) as part of conservation easement projects. As a prelude to this, the Association published “Stewardship Fees: Binding Future Owners to Present Promises” at ConservationTools.org in December. Comments on this first edition are welcome. 

This piece presents a variety of alternative approaches to securing stewardship fees from future landowners, examines enforceability issues and describes legal risks and other considerations. It is the most comprehensive and in-depth examination of stewardship fee options ever published.