Sonoma County Ag + Open Space Conservation Easements

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space buys (or accepts donations of) permanent conservation easements from willing Sonoma County landowners, including farms, ranches and dairies. Projects are prioritized by fit with the Vital Lands Initiative and threat of subdivision or development. The purchase price is negotiated from an independent before/after appraisal.

• Willing private landowners in Sonoma County

• Land with conservation values (agriculture, natural areas, scenic vistas, etc.)

• Priority to projects most effective at Vital Lands Initiative goals and/or most under threat of subdivision, development or change in use

Perpetual easement that stays with the land through ownership changes; building envelopes and agricultural/scenic/natural areas designated in the easement; ongoing stewardship by Ag + Open Space staff. Funded by county sales tax plus state/federal funds (e.g., NRCS RCPP).

Published amounts: The appraiser values the land before placement of the conservation easement and after placement of the conservation easement. The difference in those two values is the maximum value of the conservation easement itself, and once we have that value we work with the landowner to negotiate the actual purchase price.

Contact Ag + Open Space at (707) 565-7360 or OpenSpace@sonomacounty.gov to begin; process = project assessment, easement design and negotiation, appraisal, purchase agreement, recording.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline; landowners contact staff at any time.