Last summer, Matthew Hockert, a 2024 HUP Collaborative Research Assistantship (HCRA) Student, partnered with the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department to investigate the economic and equity impacts of conservation easements (CEs) across the region. As the Twin Cities metro area continues to face mounting development pressures, this timely research sheds light on how land preservation strategies can support both environmental sustainability and community well-being.
Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements between landowners and conservation agencies that permanently restrict certain types of development on a parcel of land. These agreements help protect ecologically significant habitats, farmland, and open spaces—natural assets that are disappearing at an accelerating rate. While widely recognized for their role in environmental protection, conservation easements also carry important implications for local economies, municipal revenue, and equity in access to green spaces.
Through the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and qualitative data, Hockert’s project explored how CEs affect land value, property taxes, and municipal tax income. The analysis aimed to identify how these tools can be deployed more equitably, particularly in areas that have historically had limited access to green space. The findings will help shape future policies, ordinances, and incentive structures that support broader adoption of conservation easements while also addressing the fiscal needs of local governments.
"The insights gained from this research will help the county enhance its strategy for expanding access to conservation easements, ultimately contributing to the preservation of natural spaces and promoting environmental sustainability,” Hockert said. “This experience has been personally meaningful and has deepened my appreciation for the importance of protected land in enhancing the cities we live in."
This project is part of the broader the HUP Collaborative Research Assistantship, a partnership between Hennepin County and the University of Minnesota that connects graduate students with applied research projects that address the county’s climate action and disparity reduction goals. HCRA students engage in mentorship, cohort learning, and hands-on experience that equips them with practical skills while making a meaningful contribution to the community.
By analyzing the fiscal and social impacts of conservation easements, Hockert’s work contributes to a deeper understanding of how strategic land preservation can promote both ecological resilience and equity across Hennepin County.