By: Patricia E. Salkin
Private land conservation initiatives are a critical component of any state-level quality of life agenda. Although concerns over sprawl, including the loss of prime agricultural lands and significant green space, continue to be one of the underlying rallying cries in support of state-level smart growth initiatives, the fact remains that with few exceptions, conservation of privately-owned working lands has not received significant attention in smart growth literature or conferences. Yet, land conservation and growth management are inextricably intertwined and policy initiatives must work in concert to be effective. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Conservation of Private Lands Salkin.pdf


By: Michael Bean, Robert Bonnie, Tim Male, Tim Searchinger
Given the right incentives, private landowners can play a pivotal role in achieving many of the nation's conservation goals. Recovering rare species, restoring degraded habitats, and improving the quality of water in our rivers and streams are just a few of the goals that are clearly within our reach if we enlist the nation's private landowners as partners in the task. Those are the core beliefs that prompted the creation of a new Center for Conservation Incentives at Environmental Defense. Those are also the beliefs that prompted the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to catalyze the creation of that Center with a generous five-year grant. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/EDF Conservation Incentives Report.pdf


By: Michael Bean, Robert Bonnie, Tim Male, Tim Searchinger
Given the right incentives, private landowners can play a pivotal role in achieving many of the nation's conservation goals. Recovering rare species, restoring degraded habitats, and improving the quality of water in our rivers and streams are just a few of the goals that are clearly within our reach if we enlist the nation's private landowners as partners in the task. Those are the core beliefs that prompted the creation of a new Center for Conservation Incentives at Environmental Defense. Those are also the beliefs that prompted the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to catalyze the creation of that Center with a generous five-year grant. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/EDF Conservation Incentives Report.pdf


By: North American Bird Conservation Initiative, U.S. Committee
Fourth State of the Birds report: the first review of bird distribution and conservation opportunities on private lands. 
... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/2013 State of the Birds_low-res.pdf


By: Mark Gudlin

Learn about why it benefits Tennessee's wildlife and sportsmen to invest in private lands habitat.

With more than 90 percent of Tennessee’s land  privately owned the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency cannot adequately address many wildlife species by working on public lands alone. The manner in which private lands are used significantly impact public environmental benefits, from the air we breathe to the water we drink, swim or fish in, to the long term agricultural and timber productivity potential of our land to the aesthetics of forests and fields in the countryside we view on a Sunday afternoon drive or a float down our favorite river or stream.
 

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/publicinterestprivatelands.pdf


By: Amos Eno
... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/UnivofIDSpeech.pdf


By: Amos Eno
This is a copy of the presentation I gave at Tara Talks I - The Mississippi Delta: Land Worth Conserving. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/ASE Tara Talks 10-16-13.pdf


By: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

This booklet provides information for citizen stewards and landowners, who embody President Bush’s vision of cooperative conservation—a vision built upon innovation, local ideas, inspiration and incentives, and on-the-ground action. This pamphlet highlights tools that we hope you find useful in your conservation efforts.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/ImperiledWildlifeFinalDec2005.pdf


By: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This booklet provides information for citizen stewards and landowners, who embody President Bush’s vision of cooperative conservation—a vision built upon innovation, local ideas, inspiration and incentives, and on-the-ground action. This pamphlet highlights tools that we hope you and useful in your conservation efforts.
 

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/ImperiledWildlifeFinalDec2005[1].pdf


By: Stephen J. Small, Esq.
A new report by Defenders of Wildlife Gives an in-depth summary of 2008 Farm Bill Conservation Provisions and programs. If you care about private land conservation, you can’t afford not to know the federal Farm Bill, the single greatest source of private land conservation funding in the United States. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/library/article.aspx?id=218


By: American Farmland Trust; USDA NRCS
... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/LT_Report_Finalx_with_attachments.pdf


By: Amos Eno, Laura Mass Dover and Willard Dyche
“In wildness is the preservation of the world.” Quoted from an essay by Thoreau lamenting the way in which modern urban life has made natural resources into commodities and isolated people from the natural processes on which their lives depended. Move forward to 2006, “open space” or “green space” has nearly replaced ‘wilderness’ in our vocabulary with the rise in the development of the rural landscape. The US population is now over 300 million and more and more people are sprawling out from the urban areas into the country. This push outward is having a measurable effect on our open spaces. Farmland near cities has seen its value inflated by demand for conversion to non-farm uses. People are often willing to pay more than agricultural value in order to live in primarily rural areas. For example, in Iowa there are now more non-farmers living in rural areas than there are farmers. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/StateoftheLand.pdf


By: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources WAP and UT State University's CBCP

This document is intended to be a resource for private landowners, species or habitat managers, and program managers. Learn about programs; find opportunities for yourself or others to work toward conservation goals on private lands.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Conservation Programs for Private Lands in Utah(1).pdf


By: Conservation Force
Conservation Force is a Louisiana based land trust that focuses on preserving private land and game for hunting and fishing.  ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Conservation force easements.pdf


By: Jessica Jay
As the dawn of the next century approaches, the private land conservation movement in this country must prepare to face a daunting opponent—landowners and their challenges to the restrictions placed on their land. These challenges are apt to take the form of legal scrutiny of one of the most popular land preservation devices currently in use, the conservation easement, and of the custodians of the conservation easement, the nonprofit land trust organizations ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/library/article.aspx?id=202


Whether you own five or five thousand acres, implementing a few habitat improvements on your property can help wildlife. This handbook introduces ideas for improving your land for wildlife and provides sources for additional information. Some habitat practices are fairly simple while others require contacting a private lands biologist, forester, Extension agent, district conservationist or other professional for assis­ tance (Figure 1). Contact information for assistance and additional resources are listed at the end of this 30-page handbook. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Wildlife Habitat mgmt.pdf


By: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
The Lousiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, through their Natural Areas Program, purchases conservation easements on private land to preserve Lousiana's natural heritage.  ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/servitude_overview.pdf


By: Utah Department of Natural Resources

Utah’s Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse is designed to protect high-quality habitat, enhance impaired habitat and restore converted habitat to support conservation and restoration of the portion of the greater sage-grouse population within the State. The plan outlines efforts to eliminate threats to the species and negate the need for the listing of the species under the provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act. This plan balances conservation of Sage-grouse habitat with the economic and social needs of the residents of Utah through a coordinated program that provides for incentive-based programs for private lands and a reasonable and cooperative regulatory program for other state and federal lands.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/UT Sage Grouse Conservation Plan.pdf


By: Nancy McLaughlin

The conservation easement is arguably the single most popular private land protection tool in this country today, and its use has increased dramatically (indeed, almost exponentially) over the past two and a half decades. With this increased popularity, however, have come increased reports of abuse and serious questions regarding the efficacy of conservation easements as a land protection tool. To set the stage for John D. Echeverria and Edward Thompson, Jr. to debate the relative merits of voluntary conservation easement acquisitions and “command and control” regulatory efforts, Part II of this article briefly describes conservation easements and how they operate to protect the conservation values of land; Part III describes the dramatic growth in the use of conservation easements over the past two and a half decades; and Part IV highlights some of the more troubling issues that have arisen as a result of the growth in the use of easements, as well as proposals for reform. Part V concludes on an optimistic note, asserting that if reforms can be successfully implemented, conservation easements can emerge from their troubled adolescence to take their appropriate adult role in the panoply of land conservation techniques, and may help lead us to a new paradigm of private property ownership.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Conservation Easements A Troubled Adolescence.pdf


By: Nancy McLaughlin

The use of tax incentives to encourage private landowners to donate conservation easements has become increasingly popular as policy makers search for ways to combat the growing problem of urban sprawl. The tax incentives have worked remarkably well to encourage private landowners who have both the will and the means to shoulder a significant percentage of the economic cost of protecting their land through the donation of conservation easements. However, the success of the tax incentive program should not blind its proponents to its inevitable inefficiencies and limitations. Continually increasing the tax incentives in an effort to make them attractive to a broader class of landowners – including, in particular, so-called “land rich, cash, poor” landowners – could have unintended consequences. Thus far, the land trust community has been able to recognize and respond to the challenges presented by the acquisition and long-term stewardship of conservation easements. However, the capacity of land trusts (and the often less well-equipped government agencies) to respond to such challenges is not unlimited. Some easement holders could be overwhelmed if Congress and the states adopt policies that result in a sudden surge in easement donations. Moreover, exploitation and abuse of the tax incentives by profit motivated “donors” could imperil the very existence of the tax incentive program and call into question both the credibility of the land trust community and the use of conservation easements as a private land protection tool. This article undertakes a much-needed critical analysis of the tax incentives designed to encourage conservation easement donations and proposals to increase those incentives. The article ultimately concludes that a responsible approach to increasing the tax incentives is called for: Congress should increase the incentives only if some assurance can be had that the increase will be efficient, that land trusts and government agencies have the expertise and resources to appropriately screen and steward the anticipated additional easements, and that the increase will not encourage exploitation and abuse.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Increasing the Tax Incentives for Conservation Easement Donations.pdf


By: H. Ken Cordell
Abstract This publication presents a national study of outdoor recreation trends as part of the Renewable Resources Planning Act Assessment by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The objectives are to review past trends in outdoor recreation participation by Americans, to describe in detail current outdoor recreation participation patterns, and to compare patterns across regional and demographic strata. Further objectives include describing recreation activity participation on public and private lands and providing projections of outdoor recreation participation out to the year 2060. One overriding national trend is quite evident: the mix of outdoor activities chosen by Americans and the relative popularity of activities overall have been evolving over the last several decades. One general category of activity that has been showing growth in the first decade of the 21st century is nature-based recreation. Between 2000 and 2009, the number of people who participated in naturebased outdoor recreation grew by 7.1 percent and the number of activity days grew about 40 percent. Among types of nature-based recreation, motorized activities showed growth up to about 2005, but then ended up toward the end of the 2000-2009 decade at about the same level as in 2000. The trend in hunting, fishing, and backcountry activities remained relatively flat during this period. Various forms of skiing, including snowboarding, declined during this decade. The clear growth area was within the overall group of activities oriented toward viewing and photographing nature. Generally, outdoor recreation activities are projected to grow in number of participants out to 2060. Population growth is projected to be the primary driver of growth in number of adult participants under each RPA Assessment scenario. The top five activities in terms of growth of number of participants are developed skiing, other skiing, challenge activities, equestrian activities, and motorized water activities. The lowest rates of participant growth are visiting primitive areas, motorized off-road activities, motorized snow activities, hunting, fishing, and floating water activities. At the same time, a number of activities are projected to decline in per-capita adult participation rates. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/gtr_srs150.pdf


By: USDA - Forest Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2013 – The U.S. Forest Service today published in the Federal Register a final rule improving the agency’s ability to restore lands affected by roads, trails, structures such as levees, culverts and drainage tiles and disturbance events such as floods and hurricanes.

Three National Environmental Policy Act categorical exclusions will be used when restoring uplands, wetlands, floodplains and riparian systems to their natural conditions by removing levees and other structures, removing debris and sediment following disturbance events and restoring lands occupied by roads and trails. Through these more efficient processes, the Forest Service will speed the pace of restoration efforts and stimulate rural economies by creating jobs. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/CEs_NEWS_RELEASE.pdf


By: Tom Daniels and Mark Lapping
ABSTRACT  The preservation of land for working rural landscapes, wildlife habitat, urban parks, recreational trails, and protecting water supplies and floodplains is emerging as an integral component of smart growth programs. Both the general public and non-profit organizations have been willing to spend billions of dollars on land preservation because of a perception that traditional land use planning and regulation are not successfully accommodating growth or protecting valuable natural resources. The literature on smart growth has largely overlooked the potential of land preservation to curb sprawl and to foster livable communities. On the other hand, the literature on land preservation has focused on the mechanics of conservation easements and land purchases rather than on how land preservation can fit in the comprehensive planning process to achieve community smart growth goals. More research needs to be done on the strategic use of land preservation in shaping and directing growth as part of a comprehensive planning effort. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/fulltext.pdf


By: M. Arbuthnot
New England’s only native cottontail rabbit species is in peril. Over the past few decades, the New England cottontail has seen significant declines throughout its range, and the ongoing trend of habitat loss will further threaten the species in coming years. Fortunately, private landowners are in a position to make a significant contribution to the restoration of the species. By managing some of their land as shrublands—the required habitat for New England cottontails—landowners can provide cottontails with the food and cover they need to survive harsh, cold winters and avoid predation. If enough landowners join in the effort, the New England cottontail might be saved from becoming a federally listed species. Information about the New England cottontail and how you can manage your land for habitat is included in this guide. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/8828_New-England-Cottontail-Guide_0.pdf


By: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/recovery crediting.pdf


By: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Farmers and ranchers implementing conservation actions that contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species may now be eligible for a tax deduction. The 2008 Farm Bill established a tax deduction for expenditures paid or incurred for the purpose of achieving site-specific management actions recommended in recovery plans for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/ES_TaxCredit2a.pdf


By: Todd Gartner, James Mulligan, Rowan Schmidt, and John Gunn (editors)
Cities and towns across the United States face a growing water crisis. Aging water infrastructure, increasing demand, continued land use change, and increasingly extreme weather events are driving the costs of water management higher in the United States. Investing in integrated water management strategies that combine engineered solutions with "natural infrastructure" can reduce costs, enhance services, and provide a suite of co-benefits for communities and the environment. This publication offers comprehensive guidance on the economics, science, partnerships, and finance mechanisms underlying successful efforts to secure the water-related functions of networks of forests and other ecosystems. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/natural_infrastructure.pdf


By: USDA Office of Tribal Relations and USDA Forest Service
Report calls for USDA and the U.S. Forest Service to work more closely with tribal governments in the protection, respectful interpretation and appropriate access to Indian sacred sites. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/SacredSitesFinalReportDec2012.pdf


By: Boston Redevelopement Authority

Adopted into law in December 2013, Article 89, was designed to establish zoning regulations for the operation of Urban Agriculture activities and to provide standards for the siting, design, maintenance and modification of Urban Agriculture activities that address public safety, and minimize impacts on residents and historic resources in the City of Boston.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Urban-Agriculture-FINAL-Article-89.pdf


By: Boston Redevelopment Authority

Because zoning language can be difficult to understand, Article 89 Made Easy attempts to translate Article 89 into plain English. The Boston Redevelopment Authority hopes that residents interested in urban agriculture find the guide a helpful way to navigate Article 89. Whether you are interested in starting a farm, adding a greenhouse to your building, or raising chickens in your backyard, this guide helps to demystify what may seem like confusing regulations.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Article89 Made Easy.pdf


By: Jim Faulstich, Steve Jester, and Jim Stone

Two Western ranchers and conservation leaders and the Executive Director of Partners for Conservation (PFC) outline a range of strategies and tactics to improve landowner-agency relationships and foster collaborative approaches to natural resource challenges.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Faulstich, Jester, and Stone Sept2014_0.pdf


By: John Antle, Susan Capalbo and Laurie Houston

In this paper, three economists discuss the importance of a knowledge infrastructure for agriculture and its potential to improve on-farm decision making as well as support the sustainable management of working landscapes.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Antle, Capalbo, and Houston Sept2014_0.pdf


By: Tom Tidwell
... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/library/article.aspx?id=1007


By: Paul Hollis
Annie Dee, an Alabama ranch owner, believes fervently that if her family doesn’t practice sustainability, they won’t stay in the business of farming. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/library/article.aspx?id=1015


By: John L. Greene, William C. Siegel, William L. Hoover, and Mark Koontz
This guide updates and supersedes Agriculture Handbook No.718, Forest Landowners’ Guide to the Federal Income Tax, incorporating new tax legislation that was passed and administrative changes promulgated through September 30, 2012. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Forest Landowners Guide to Federal Income Tax Feb 2013.pdf


By: Chandler Van Voorhis
With GreenTrees, participating landowners now have the potential to sit back and watch their forest grow while revenues increase. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/FLA Article-Dec2012 copy.pdf


By: Robert R. Williams
Letter written by Director Bob Williams to Ms. Jeanette Vree;and, Chairman, State of NJ, Departement of Environmental Protection, NJ Fish & Game Council dated March 7, 2008. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Species Extirpation Article.pdf


By: Celeste Mazzacano and Scott Hoffman Black
Report reviews current mosquito control practices in the United States, describes risks and benefits associated with different types of mosquito control, and recommends  effective practices to manage mosquito populations while reducing pesticide use and conserving wetlands. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/MosMan_Mar13_XercesSociety.pdf


By: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station
... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/WHO OWNS AMERICAS FORESTS.pdf


By: Brett J. Butler
A technical document supporting the Forest Service 2010 RPA Assessment. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Family Forest Owners of the US.pdf


By: Dan Rafferty, Dr. Ron Masters, and Champe Green
Twenty percent of woodland species depend on dead or dying wood to survive and thrive. ... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/Snags L-270.pdf


By: Resources First Foundation - RFF

Excerpts from Nebraska's Natural Legacy Project / Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) applicable to Private Landowners.

... Read More »
https://privatelandownernetwork.org/library/article.aspx?id=135