Conservation Areas

**Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area**

Conservation areas are natural areas protected as part of the City’s park system for preservation and passive recreation.

These areas includes oak savanna, remnant prairie, remnant “big woods” forests and the riparian zones along creek and river watersheds.

Conservation boundaries preserve recreational use and wildlife habitat for the community to enjoy. Conserving urban plant communities improves water quality of our local lakes and streams by reducing runoff and the need for storm water structures. There are rules and regulations in place to protect the natural plants and landscape in these areas.

Many of Eden Prairie’s conservation areas are open to the public for passive recreation.

Conservation Easements

Conservation areas and easements are established to protect natural resources in Eden Prairie.

While conservation areas are public property maintained as part of the City's park system, conservation easements are are typically privately owned with restrictions on how that property can be used. Therefore, any alterations within a conservation easement must first be approved by the City. This includes planting or removal of plants and trees, building road or structures, dumping trash or soil, and changing the general topography.

Conservation easements are recorded with Hennepin County and should appear with a title search related to a property sale/search. To find out whether your property falls under a conservation easement, contact the City’s Engineering Division.

If you are interested in altering land within a conservation easement, you must first complete Eden Prairie’s Vegetation Management Plan Application. Information about the type of project, timeline and restrictions, and any contractors involved are required.