LEXINGTON, KY, December 30, 2009 – Bluegrass Conservancy has reached a milestone of over 10,000 permanently conserved acres by 2010.  Our most recent conservation easements protect a geographic expanse of history-laced land, from the birthplace of one of 2009’s most successful and celebrated racehorses, Rachel Alexandra, to the family farm of Kentucky’s first and fifth governor, Isaac Shelby. 

This year’s parcels range in size from twenty acres to 700 acres and build a critical mass of conserved properties which save our endangered cultural landscape, contribute to our local economy, reduce our cost of community services, and honor our unique brand identity and “sense of place.”  No public dollars are spent on these easements that also cover extensive scenic road frontage, geologic formations, water sources, key soils, forests, wildlife habitat, and historic resources.

“This is an incredible moment for our land trust,” says Executive Director Mackenzie Royce.  “We treasure the community’s support of our work and are honored by our partnership with each conservation easement donor.”  

Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and Bluegrass Conservancy.  These flexible agreements are tailored to the landowner’s objectives and property in order to conserve the land for agriculture and/or other open space activities, thereby ensuring that our unique Bluegrass landscape is protected for future generations.