Types of Incentive Programs

Incentive programs for habitat conservation on private lands fall into one or more of these categories:

  1. Property tax benefits. Many states assess farm and forest lands at reduced levels for property tax purposes. To maintain this lower assessment, landowners must manage their properties in ways that support these farm and forest uses. Conservation programs with property tax benefits similarly assess lands at reduced levels for property taxes, allowing landowners to participate in conservation practices without foregoing the reduced tax rates. Programs with property tax benefits have a localized financial impact on county governments and special districts with a local tax base.
  2. Income tax credits. These incentive programs provide a means for landowners to reduce their state income tax burden with a tax credit for part or all of the costs of a conservation practice. Because such programs have a statewide financial impact, they are appropriate to accomplish conservation objectives with statewide benefits, rather than just local benefits.
  3. Regulatory streamlining. A landowner can enter into a stewardship agreement with a participating agency, when the landowner's conservation efforts exceed those required by law. The landowner, in return, may receive regulatory certainty, expedited permit processing, or higher priority access to other programs.
  4. Direct funding. Various state and federal agencies (and private sources) provide direct contributions to private landowners or landowner organizations to improve water quality, protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and improve land management practices. These include grants, purchase of conservation easements, cost sharing, and reimbursement of expenses.
  5. Technical assistance (including education and conservation planning). Landowners may need assistance with identifying and understanding relevant programs, understanding regulations, developing conservation plans, applying for permits or programs, or designing specific conservation elements. Assistance is available through a wide array of government and non-government sources, with little coordination of efforts.