The Intermountain West has witnessed rapid population growth over the past two decades. Growth driven development of open space lands presents a serious threat to the production of environmental and agrarian amenities. An emerging market for conservation easements has appeared in an effort to preserve private open space lands and the public goods that they provide. The object of this research is to identify the determinants of land trusts’ demand for conservation easements.

A survey designed to reveal land trusts’ preferences for conservation easements was sent to governing members of land trusts across the Intermountain West. Collected data from stated choice questions were analyzed using random utility models.

Model results identify significant easement attributes as well as attitudinal and demographic factors in land trusts’ demand for conservation easements. Results also suggest indicate that land trusts may be segmented based on attitudes or conservation focus into groups with more homogenous preferences. Knowledge of factors influencing land trust easement acceptance could reduce matching risk and transactions costs for agents in this emerging market. This Pareto improvement could be gained by matching easement sellers and land trust buyers that have compatible interests.