Conservation Networks

Getting Started

Definition
Purpose
Organizing
Examples & Links
Terms

Network Design

Vision and Goals
Network Scale
Integration
Design Principles
Application
Land Ratings
Design Checklist
Tips & Advice
Tools & Resources

Implementation

Acquisition
Incentives
Stewardship
Outreach
Funding
Maintenance

Building and Maintaining a Conservation Network

Since the design of the conservation network is part of an overall planning process to protect biodiversity in a designated area, ideally, strategies and tools to protect the network should have been developed and identified early and refined during the process. After the conservation network is designed, then it becomes clear where to apply those strategies.

Acquisition

Sometimes the most effective solution to protect habitat is to buy it. Public or private conservation ownership simplifies land management and potentially provides permanent protection of the habitat.

However, land ownership carries long-term financial obligation. Fee simple purchases and conservation easements are two common habitat acquisition tools. Fee simple ownership provides one of the most effective and straightforward means of protecting habitat because the owner possesses all rights to the property and controls all land use decisions. Federal, state, and local agencies are common administrators of land acquisition programs. Also, several groups, like The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and local land trusts, specialize in this work. Often, these groups can act much faster than government entities, and may transfer management of the land to an appropriate agency at some point in the future.

A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and another entity, such as a government agency, land trust, or conservation organization, that permanently limits land uses of the property in order to protect conservation values. The details of an easement are flexible and depend on the landowner’s needs and the resources found on the property. The easement allows the landowner to continue to own and use the property while ensuring some level of protection through restrictions and specific management requirements. For example, a landowner may be required to follow certain management practices to protect biological resources and must give up the right to subdivide or develop the land. Some easements allow continued agriculture and forestry uses. Landowners may also benefit from income, property, and estate tax reductions. Easements are excellent tools for addressing private lands in a conservation network.

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