Enhancing the effectiveness of conservation easements through trust building, partner coordination, and cooperation
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Date
2013
Authors
University of Oregon. Ecosystem Workforce Program
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon
Abstract
Large, intact landscapes are necessary to maintain and enhance ecosystem services. Across the West, the
break-up of working landscapes into “ranchettes” has resulted in the loss of fish and wildlife habitat, water
quality, and other ecosystem services. In some landscapes, conservation easements have prevented this kind of
development through the acquisition of development rights and deed restrictions specifying allowable land use
activities. Although easements have protected numerous individual properties and have helped landowners address
financial challenges, there is a growing perception that a lack of coordinated action at scale can limit their
ecological effectiveness.
Two examples of a more coordinated approach to protecting and restoring land across landscapes with conservation
easements are unfolding in the Blackfoot Watershed of western Montana and the Upper Salmon River
Basin of north central Idaho. In both of these places, diverse groups are convening to facilitate the strategic use
of easements while also maintaining agricultural and forestry land uses.
Description
2 pages