Von Ziegesar Easement

In 2000, the Nature Trust of New Brunswick became the first organization in the province to register a conservation easement under the province's new Conservation Easements Act (1998). Franz and Liz von Ziegesar, owners of the 72 ha (180 acre) farm on the St. John river at Lower Kars and donors of the easement, greeted the honour of being first with enthusiasm. The easement protects active and old fields, oak and cedar forests and 3.2 km (2 miles) of undeveloped St. John River frontage.
Creating the easement with Franz and Liz was an iterative process. Clauses were exchanged, ideas vetted, and in the end, the parties agreed on restrictions and reserved rights which will protect the natural features of the land in perpetuity. Land subdivision, new roads, commercial cutting of trees, changing of watercourses or shorelines and other consumptive activities are not permitted. A shoreline oak-cedar forest is subject to a no-cutting clause, and an intervale area subject to flooding will have no future grazing, encouraging its use by wildlife.
For their part, the von Ziegesars will be able to use the property, enjoy the scenic views and trails and still, because of a defined 1.9 ha (4.7 acre) "building envelope", enlarge or modify their home or farm buildings more or less as they see fit.