Douglas County and the Kansas Land Trust have partnered to launch the Douglas County Land Protection Program. It is a pilot program to promote and facilitate voluntary, permanent land conservation pathways for private landowners whose land provides significant public benefit in Douglas County. The program will provide funding to cover costs related to developing, establishing and upholding conservation easements, lowering the often-high cost for landowners seeking permanent conservation of their property.

The program is funded by a federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant from Douglas County. Up to $225,000 is available to support the pilot program as part of Douglas County’s Open Space initiatives.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Kansas Land Trust to offer this opportunity to interested landowners,” Douglas County Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan said. “In developing the Open Space Plan, we heard from many landowners and community partners about existing barriers to conserving open space. We hope that this pilot program is a helpful first step to reducing barriers and supporting the long-term protection of open spaces in Douglas County.”

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that allows landowners to restrict development on their property to achieve specific conservation goals. This agreement is made between the landowner and a government agency or land trust, such as the Kansas Land Trust. As a nonprofit organization, the Kansas Land Trust accepts the easement with the commitment to enforce its terms indefinitely. Once the easement is finalized and signed, it is recorded in the county land records, and its conditions apply to all future owners of the land.

“Permanent land conservation is a cost-effective natural solution for many contemporary issues. Protected lands may provide significant habitat for wildlife, support local food systems and land access for beginning farmers, or serve as natural or recreational spaces where community members can find respite and improve their mental and physical health,” Director of the Kansas Land Trust Kaitlin Stanley said. “This pilot
program will highlight the power of local partnerships which are especially important in a state that severely lacks designated funding for conservation.”

To be eligible for funding, the following criteria must be met:

• Property is in Douglas County, Kansas.
• Project meets the Kansas Land Trust’s criteria for evaluating conservation easement projects.
• Project promotes the overall goals and values of the Douglas County Open Space Plan.
• Protection of the property is in alignment with any relevant existing community goals and plans.
• Property must contain at least one of these open space features: natural resources, historic and cultural importance, agricultural value or recreation.
• Protection of the property will yield a significant public benefit to Douglas County residents.

The Kansas Land Trust and Douglas County will host three public information sessions in January:

• Tuesday, Jan. 14, 10-11 a.m., Lecompton Community Building, 333 Elmore St., Lecompton.
• Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6-7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St., Lawrence. (Please note: This was originally scheduled for Jan. 8, but it was rescheduled due to the inclement weather.)
• Thursday, Jan. 16, 2-3 p.m., Lone Star Lake Community Building, 665 E. 665 Road, Lawrence.

The application deadline is Feb. 28, 2025. The application and more information about the Douglas County Land Protection Program are located on the Kansas Land Trust’s website: https://www.klt.org/douglas-county-pilot-program. Projects will be selected by March 31, 2025. The goal is to have them completed by November 2026.