Browse our Introductory Articles

Legal Defense And Enforcement Of Conservation Easements

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.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Legal-Defense-And-Enforcement-Of-Conservation-Easements/202/

 

Could Coalbed Methane Be the Death of Conservation Easements?

By: Nancy McLaughlin
This article explains that a charitable gift of a perpetual conservation easement should be treated like any other gift of property made for a specific charitable purpose—i.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Could-Coalbed-Methane-Be-the-Death-of-Conservation-Easements-/182/

 

Cattlemen’s Land Trust at the Forefront of Conservation

By: EarthX Conservation
Watch and listen to an on-the-ground panel of experts talk about the relationship of how ranchers and conservationists work together provides successful conservation outcomes while keeping working lands working.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Cattlemens-Land-Trust-at-the-Forefront-of-Conservation/3606/

 

Land Conservation in Coastal Alabama

By: Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation
This booklet is for landowners who want to learn more about the options available for conserving their natural lands, including: Donating a ...
https://www.landcan.org/article/Land-Conservation-in-Coastal-Alabama/3801/

 

Nutrient Management Conservation Practice Standard

By: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Nutrient Management is defined as the management of the 4R's of Nutrient Management:Right amount (rate), Right source, Right placement (method of application), Right timing of commercial fertilizers, manure, soil amendments, and organic by-products to agricultural landscapes as a source of plant nutrients while protecting local air, soil and water quality.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Nutrient-Management-Conservation-Practice-Standard/395/

 

2014 Farm Bill Field Guide to Fish and Wildlife Conservation

By: North American Bird Conservation Initiative, U.S. Committee
The 2014 Farm Bill Field Guide to Fish and Wildlife Conservation was prepared as an introduction for fish and wildlife conservation providers – the on-the-ground biologists and conservation partners who help deliver Farm Bill conservation programs to landowners.
https://www.landcan.org/article/2014-Farm-Bill-Field-Guide-to-Fish-and-Wildlife-Conservation/2690/

 

Outcomes in Conservation - Sage Grouse Initiative

By: Natural Resources Conservation Service/USDA
In 2010, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) designated the greater sage-grouse a Candidate species for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
https://www.landcan.org/article/Outcomes-in-Conservation--Sage-Grouse-Initiative/2571/

 

Meeting Regulatory Needs with Voluntary Conservation

By: Christopher Hartley United States Department of Agriculture - Office of Environmental Markets
Take a look at a PowerPoint presentation on market-based approaches as a voluntary means to reduce the cost of compliance with environmental regulations.& ...
https://www.landcan.org/article/Meeting-Regulatory-Needs-with-Voluntary-Conservation/2833/

 

A Constructive Reformist's Perspective on Voluntary Conservation Easements

By: Nancy McLaughlin
A Constructive Reformist's Perspective on Voluntary Conservation Easements by Nancy A. McLaughlin In an article written especially for the Ecosystem Marketplace, Nancy A.
https://www.landcan.org/article/A-Constructive-Reformists-Perspective-on-Voluntary-Conservation-Easements/162/

 

Meet Chad Ellis CEO of the Texas Agricultural Land Trust

By: EarthX Conservation
Chad introduces us to the conservation ethic and DNA of Texas ranchers and reviews the past and future TALT conservation easements.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Meet-Chad-Ellis-CEO-of-the-Texas-Agricultural-Land-Trust/3607/

 

Designing a Conservation Easement Amendment Policy

By: Karin Marchetti Ponte
How to can a land trust official identify and comply with legal restraints to amendment?  How can necessary flexibility be built into the easement document?  This paper reflects the earnest desire of an ardent conservationist to take full advantage of opportunities for flexibility that can be found within the law, recognizing that the needs of land ownership and the land itself, are by their nature subject to continual change.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Designing-a-Conservation-Easement-Amendment-Policy/169/

 

Conservation practices for landlords

By: Michael D. Duffy, ISU Extension Economist

https://www.landcan.org/article/Conservation-practices-for-landlords/2180/

 

Leaving a Legacy of Land

By: Ed Contreras, IWJV's Working Wetlands Conservation Delivery Coordinator
Protecting private lands that provide significant natural resource or cultural values is often a capstone objective for landowners, managers, and conservationists.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Leaving-a-Legacy-of-Land/3460/

 

State Tax Credit Summary

By: Conservation Resource Center
The Conservation Resource Center has assembled a report to assess the effectiveness of state income tax credits for the donation of conservation easements.
https://www.landcan.org/article/State-Tax-Credit-Summary/210/

 

IRS Guidance regarding deductions by individuals for qualified conservation contributions

By: Amy S. Wei and Patricia M. Zweibel
This notice provides guidance relating to the percentage limitations imposed by § 170(b)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) on qualified conservation contributions made by individuals.
https://www.landcan.org/article/IRS-Guidance-regarding-deductions-by-individuals-for-qualified-conservation-contributions/199/

 

On Saving Land & People - Why Conservation Needs New Guiding Principles

By: Peter Forbes and William B. Rogers
New ideas for connecting land and people through conservation How can we make conservation more effective, not only for preserving land but also for nurturing community?  While we have saved millions of acres, Americans seem less connected to the land than ever before.
https://www.landcan.org/article/On-Saving-Land-and-People--Why-Conservation-Needs-New-Guiding-Principles/178/

 

Habitat Tip: Pollinator Habitat & Agriculture

By: Conservation Blueprint
Conservation Blueprint's Peter Berthelsen explains how agricultural land and pollinator habits impact each other, and can work together, in this Habitat Tip.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Habitat-Tip-Pollinator-Habitat-and-Agriculture/3600/

 

NRCS Gulf of Mexico Initiative

By: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, in cooperation with our conservation partners, proposes the establishment of a landscape-based, coordinated effort to improve ecosystem health in the Gulf of Mexico and its associated watersheds.
https://www.landcan.org/article/NRCS-Gulf-of-Mexico-Initiative/394/

 

National Organic Farming Handbook

By: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The handbook describes organic systems and identifies key resources to guide conservation planning and implementation on organic farms. Producers and other audiences may also find the handbook useful, particularly the resources listed in various sections.
https://www.landcan.org/article/National-Organic-Farming-Handbook/2878/

 

Developing Consensus on Conservation Easements on Managed Forestlands

By: Laurie A. Wayburn
Over the past few years, there have been panel discussions at the National Land Trust Rally putting forward ideas on guiding principles for conservation easements on working forestlands.
https://www.landcan.org/article/Developing-Consensus-on-Conservation-Easements-on-Managed-Forestlands/175/