Mission

The Kennett Township Land Trust (KTLT), now also doing business as The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County, (we like to think of it as "TLC" for Southern Chester County), is a non-profit charitable organization based in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Our mission is to ensure the perpetual preservation and stewardship of open space, natural resources, historic sites, and working agricultural lands throughout Southern Chester County.

Operating through a Board of Trustees, an executive director, an outreach coordinator, a director of development, and a host of volunteers, interns, and consultants, seeks to work with landowners who voluntarily wish to preserve the resources inherent on their lands, and as of 2009, has preserved over 400 acres within Kennett Township.

KTLT was formed in August 1995 by a group of concerned citizens as a non-profit, tax-exempt entity recognized by the IRS. The Township’s Board of Supervisors, acting on the recommendations of the 1992 Township Comprehensive Plan, adopted an ordinance that supported the formation of KTLT and authorized cooperation in achieving the goals and objectives of the Land Trust. Although KTLT supports the Township’s preservation efforts, it can also work with landowners in a private forum that enables full consideration of options that are mutual interest to the landowner and KTLT.

A conservation easement is a landowner's voluntary agreement restricting the use and development of his or her property. Completing a conservation easement involves a number of specific activities leading from the first meeting to the final recording of the easement in the County’s real estate records. Initially, a representative of KTLT seeks to understand a landowner’s objectives and the impact of conservation of the property. This is perhaps the most critical step and can take the longest to accomplish in order to meet the needs of both the landowner and KTLT. Other activities include an appraisal of the property and a detailed evaluation of the property to identify the property's existing conditions and its natural and cultural resources.

The preservation process is the beginning of a long-term relationship between the landowner and KTLT in the conservation of the property. As the options for conservation may not be readily apparent to landowners in Kennett Township, we offer to meet with individuals or groups of residents to share ideas and answer questions.