As remaining rural agricultural land in the Albuquerque area is swallowed up by growth it is important to know that owners have alternatives. That could be a more innovative development that seeks to protect the character of the property, such as maintaining common land. Others may hope for outright purchase by the city or county for open space or a park. Undeniably, far more often land is sold, divided and developed as conventional subdivisions that build to the maximum density possible without room or sentiment for preserving views, wildlife corridors, trees, or even significant archaeological sites. 

Conservation easements are a way landowners may choose to preserve property voluntarily. The owner enters into a legal agreement with a land trust that permanently protects conservation values by limiting future uses. The easement runs with the land in perpetuity. 

Aside from the obvious benefits of preservation, owners still own their land and can sell or lease it if they want and may be eligible for significant income, estate, and property tax benefits.  

Statewide in New Mexico 17 different land trusts protect nearly 2.5 million acres.  

There are at least 8 accredited land trusts working in the Albuquerque area according to the Land Trust Alliance. (landtrustalliance.org) Each has one or more conservation priorities such as forests, wildlife habitat, agricultural land, and archaeological sites. 

The Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust (http://rgalt.org) is active in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. They  presently hold 6,269 acres and are working with Bernalillo County on additional easements in the Albuquerque area.