Updates & News

Land Conservation, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, August 2025

Conservation: Deeper Than the Natural Resources

Land conservation is a powerful tool that has consistently proven to benefit public health, boost economies, and reduce effects of natural disasters. While we have access to ample data that highlights the tangible benefits of land conservat...

Land Conservation, Wetlands, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, August 2025

The Untapped Power of Protecting Surface Water

Clean surface water is vital for human survival, as it is one of the primary contributors to our drinking water sources. We know that, but in the hustle and bustle of life it is easy to forget how important and interconnected everything is....

Land Conservation, Wetlands, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Caroline Sevier, August 2025

How Conservation Helps Keep PFAS Out of Water

Have you ever seen a new acronym online and wondered what it meant? In a world swimming with acronyms like LOL and YOLO, you are definitely not the only one. PFAS isn’t a trendy new text lingo, but actually a dangerous source of widespread ...

working forest conservation easement land trust faq

Conservation for Land Managers, Working Lands

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, August 2025

Conservation of Working Forests

It is estimated that 20% of the land base in the U.S. or 445 million acres are private forested lands. Fifteen million acres of private forested land is under some type of permanent or term conservation agreement. While this seems like a bi...

Mitigation Banking, North Carolina

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, August 2025

Speedman | Conservation Easement

Total Acres 53.6 Project Year 2025 Located in Wayne County NC The Speedman Mitigation Project is a stream and wetland restoration project located in the Cape Fear River Basin, North Carolina. The Speedman project restored approximately 3,50...

photo of private land donated for a conservation easement

Land Conservation

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, August 2025

Lasting Conservation Depends on Private Commitment

Across the United States, mountain slopes, productive farmland, forested valleys, and headwater streams define the character of our shared natural heritage. While public lands such as national parks and forests often get the spotlight, the ...

photo of working land farm and forest conservation

Land Conservation, Working Lands, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, June 2025

How Working Lands Unlock Community Benefits

If you are an avid reader of our blog posts, you probably have a pretty good understanding of what we mean when we reference “working lands.” Farms, ranches, some forests, and lands where people can hunt or fish are often called working lan...

Healthy Rivers

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, May 2025

The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout’s Remarkable Comeback

No species better embodies the dramatic story of America and its relationship with nature than the Lahontan cutthroat trout. Once thought extinct in much of its historic range, this relic of the Ice Age has defied the odds. It is now making...

photo of people kayaking in alligator creek nc

Land Conservation, Wetlands

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Christine Pickens, May 2025

Conserving a Transitional Wetland in a Rapidly Developing Estuary

In partnership with New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District, and funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 14 acres of floating marsh located on Eagles Island were permanently protected. This critical site expa...

Land Conservation, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, May 2025

How Green Spaces Improve Our Immune System

Like many other millennials, I grew up hearing tales of hardship from the older generations - like the infamous 12-mile, uphill both ways trek to school. We were often labeled as “soft” compared to their experiences. Now, when seeing the yo...

photo of kayakers paddling on the Cuyahoga River

Healthy Rivers

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, April 2025

A River Under Fire: The Cuyahoga River's Comeback

Few rivers tell the story of environmental neglect and redemption quite like the Cuyahoga. Once a dumping ground for industrial waste, this Ohio river was so polluted that it caught on fire repeatedly before the passage of the Clean Water A...

Land Conservation, Wetlands, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, April 2025

How Wetlands Impact Insurance Costs - Part Two

In the first part of our research into how wetlands impact insurance costs, we discussed the decline of wetlands across the U.S., amplified by recent legal changes that leave millions of acres unprotected. Now, we connect that ecological lo...

photo of wetlands with buildings in the background

Land Conservation, Wetlands, Conservation Cares

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, April 2025

How Wetlands Impact Insurance Costs - Part One

Welcome to the first installment of our Conservation Cares series! We often hear about land and natural resource conservation in broad strokes, but how does it tangibly affect our daily lives? This series of topics illustrates how different...

photo of free flowing river after dam removal

Dam Removals, Unique Places to Save

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, April 2025

How Dam Removals Sustain & Enhance Natural Capital - Part Two

In the first part of our series, we explored the historical significance of dams and the myriad benefits they have provided over the centuries, from hydroelectric power to flood control. We also highlighted the serious environmental drawbac...

Dam Removals, Unique Places to Save

‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, April 2025

How Dam Removals Sustain & Enhance Natural Capital - Part One

While dams provide significant benefits, such as reliable water sources and energy with relatively low maintenance costs, these advantages often come at a cost to the environment. Dams can disrupt ecosystems, alter river flows, and generall...