1.   And so the land trust and the Bronsons struck a deal.

2.   At the same time, skeptics question the ability of local land trusts to protect the land and the equity of conservation easements.

3.   Both coveted the field, the land trust for its esthetics, the Bronsons for its deep, rock-free topsoil.

4.   A proposal by the Trust for Public Land to convert the true gardens into private land trusts is worth exploring.

5.   A second way to be part of a solution is to support nonprofit land trusts.

6.   But the ability of land trusts to raise enough cash is limited.

7.   Called Conserving California Landscapes, the huge conservation plan envisions acquiring land through grants to nonprofit land trusts, community groups and local governments.

8.   If easements have a legitimate conservation purpose and are donated to a qualified land trust, landowners can receive a tax deduction.

9.   In Colorado, the state also fosters local land trusts.

10.   In reality, though, land trusts usually can only afford to pay about half that figure, so the balance is considered a charitable contribution.