This paper presents an empirical analysis of the structure of land prices both before and after land conservation occurs. Using data describing 12 years of vacant land transactions in Buncombe County, North Carolina, we find that fee simple conservations, as opposed to conservation easements,...

We examine conservation activity in western North Carolina, where state income tax credits from land conservation have been available since 1983. Six land trusts, including the Nature Conservancy, undertake conservations in both fee simple and in conservation easement over a twelve year period....