What is the purpose of conservation easements?

The purpose of conservation easements is primarily to protect wildlife habitats while allowing for public access. These legal agreements are designed to restrict certain types of development and land use that could harm the environment or diminish the ecological integrity of a specific area. By doing so, conservation easements help to maintain biodiversity, preserve natural resources, and safeguard the habitats that wildlife depend on for survival.

Importantly, while they impose restrictions on land use, conservation easements can still permit activities like hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation, thereby promoting public engagement with nature. This balance between preservation and public accessibility is a core component of conservation easements, making it a valuable tool for wildlife conservation and land management.

The other options do not align with the primary objectives of conservation easements: restricting all human activity is too extreme and does not reflect the intended balance; promoting urban development contradicts the purpose of conserving natural spaces; and increasing agricultural production is not the focus, as conservation easements often aim to limit uses that could degrade the land rather than enhance agricultural output.