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The Land Conservation Partnership Grant – Conservation Easement Assistance Program provides funding for the costs of acquiring donated conservation easements.

Local governments, land trusts and nonprofits are eligible to apply for funding to cover the costs of acquiring donated conservation easements on privately-owned land. Lands with high conservation value are ranked higher in the competitive process.

Eligible properties include Missouri lands that are for willing sale. Land acquired by eminent domain is ineligible. The grand funds land purchase costs for land that will be managed as natural habitat (forest, stream, grasslands, wetlands, etc.) and supporting infrastructure (trails, parking lots, etc.). If the land is not currently natural habitat, grant funds can be used if there is a plan to begin natural habitat conversion within two years.

All lands in this program must have public access unless there are acres that directly support state or federally listed species or habitats of conservation concerns that would be vulnerable to public access.

Appraisals must be completed by MDC approved appraisers.

Grant recipients must monitor, enforce easement terms, submit annual reports, and provide basic data on easement existence to National Conservation Easement Database.

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