The Hidden Costs of Land Conservation: Why Your Support Matters

At Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT), our mission is clear: to connect people to nature by working with communities and partners to conserve and steward sensitive lands and species for the survival of our fragile Sonoran Desert. While our conservation efforts rely heavily on the generous donation of land or conservation easements, many wonder why we still need financial support. Today, we'd like to shed light on the significant responsibilities and costs associated with protecting land in perpetuity.

The True Value of Land Donations

First and foremost, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the heartfelt donations of land and conservation easements. These gifts hold immense personal and financial value, and we truly appreciate the trust placed in us to protect these precious areas of the Sonoran Desert.

The Commitment to Perpetual Protection

When DFLT takes on a property for conservation purposes, we're not just accepting a gift – we're making a forever promise. Our commitment to protecting and defending that property is eternal, which comes with substantial financial and stewardship responsibilities and risks.

The Due Diligence Process

To ensure that every land and conservation easement transaction is legally, ethically, and technically sound, we follow a meticulous due diligence process. This typically takes 6-12 months and includes:

• Initial site inspection

• Identification of conservation values

• Board approval to ensure the project meets our selection criteria

• Title searches and certifications

• Appraisals

• Land surveys and legal descriptions

• Specialized information gathering, such as:

  • Baseline documentation reports

  • Mineral remoteness reviews

  • Environmental assessments

  • Real estate tax assessments

  • Outstanding debt evaluations

  • Legal reviews

    
    

Ongoing Stewardship Responsibilities

Our commitment doesn't end with acquisition. We take on permanent stewardship responsibilities, including:

• Annual monitoring

• Enforcement to ensure conservation easement restrictions are honored

• Follow-up inspections and actions as needed

• Management of habitats and emergent situations

To fulfill these obligations, our Board of Directors ensures that proper funds are endowed for the stewardship and legal defense of each protected property.

The Financial Reality

The combined costs of due diligence and stewardship typically range from $45,000 to $75,000+ per property, depending on the complexity of the transaction. In rare cases where deals fall apart during the due diligence phase, the Land Trust still incurs these expenses.

Why Your Support Matters

This is why your financial support is crucial to our mission. While land donations are the cornerstone of our conservation efforts, the hidden costs of protecting these lands in perpetuity are substantial. Your contributions help us cover these essential expenses, ensuring that we can continue to protect and steward the sensitive lands and species of the Sonoran Desert for generations to come.

By supporting DFLT, you're not just helping us acquire land – you're investing in the long-term health and preservation of our unique desert ecosystem. Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to our ability to fulfill our promise of perpetual protection and stewardship.

Together, we can ensure that the beauty and biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert remain protected for future generations to enjoy and cherish.

DFLT has received Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission of the Land Trust Alliance, ensuring that we meet the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence.  To earn Accreditation, we complete a rigorous review process to demonstrate our fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands we conserve.