A conservation easement is a restriction a landowner voluntarily places on specified uses of his or her property to protect natural, productive or cultural features. A conservation easement is recorded as a written legal agreement between the landowner and the "holder" of the easement, which may be either a nonprofit conservation organization or government agency. In Mississippi conservation easements are usually donated to nonprofit conservation organizations, commonly known as land trusts.

Conservation easements are recognized for legal and tax purposes by the State of Mississippi (Uniform Conservation Easement Act) and the Internal Revenue Service (Internal Revenue Code, Section 170(h)). However, before initiating a conservation easement agreement, landowners should consult with their legal and tax advisors.

With a conservation easement the landowner retains legal title to the property while determining the types of land uses to be continued and those to be restricted. As part of the arrangement the landowner grants the holder of the conservation easement the right to assess the condition of the property periodically to ensure that it is maintained according to the terms of the legal agreement.