I know something about conservation easements, too.

New Keystone XL Pipeline Application (click here)

On May 4, 2012, the Department of State received a new application from TransCanada Corp. for a proposed pipeline that would run from the Canadian border to connect to a pipeline in Steele City, Nebraska. The new application includes proposed new routes through the state of Nebraska.
The Department’s responsibility, under Executive Order 13337, is to determine if granting a permit for the proposed pipeline would serve the national interest. The Department is considering this new application on its merits. Consistent with the Executive Order, this involves consideration of many factors, including energy security, health, environmental, cultural, economic, and foreign policy concerns.

UPDATE
On February 5, 2014, the Federal Register published a Notice that invited members of the public to comment on any factor they deem relevant to the national interest determination that will be made for the Presidential Permit application.
This began a...

...30-day public comment period that will close on March 7, 2014.

There are two ways to submit comments on the national interest determination. Members of the public are encouraged to submit comments to regulations.gov . Comments may also be mailed directly to:

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Energy Resources, Room 4843
Attn: Keystone XL Public Comments
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Comments are not private and will be made public. Comments can only be submitted via regulations.gov and by mail to the address indicated above....

When a conservation easement is granted by a private property owner, the terms are worked out about the land and it's use. For land used for wildlife and simply forests and flora, it is maintained and IMPROVED by the legitimate conservation organization.

The monies that the "Nature Conservancy" takes in is used primarily for improvement of their conservation easements and properties. Ninty-percent of the annual income by the Nature Conservancy is used for conservation improvements of property they have in their record books. 

90% of the monies received by the Nature Conservancy is used to IMPROVE the lands they protect. That is a lot of money, but, more than that it is a huge commitment to be sure the land is held in esteem.