| Mandi Taylor, September 2024
First Days at Unique Places to Save
My first day in the field as a Conservation Specialist took me to Jigsaw, a 21.54-acre conservation easement property immediately adjacent to a working farm. This property is a mix of mature forested stream buffer and restored in-stream hab...
| Michael Scisco, September 2024
Gulf Coast Plains Wetland Mitigation Bank
Total Acres 464 Project Year 2024 Located in Chambers County Texas The goals of the Gulf Coast Plains Wetland Mitigation Bank are the following: To restore historically occurring, high quality, tidal and freshwater wetland and aquatic habit...
| Michael Scisco, September 2024
What is Mitigation Banking?
A mitigation bank is a site where wetlands, streams, or other natural habitats are restored, enhanced, or preserved to compensate for or offset negative impacts to similar ecosystems elsewhere within a defined geography. These negative impa...
| Michael Scisco, September 2024
An Introduction to Conservation Easements
A conservation easement can be a desirable tool in very specific instances where landowner, land management and fiscal goals meet. They are a unique solution for many landowners who wish to conserve and protect their investment in their lan...
| Mandi Taylor, September 2024
Mandi Taylor | Conservation Specialist
Hi everyone! My name is Mandi and I am thrilled to be part of the Unique Places to Save team, and continue to help advance our ongoing conservation and restoration efforts. I bring experience in public health, project management, and commun...
| Natalie Davis, August 2024
Building Confidence in Conservation: Natalie Davis's Journey with Unique Places to Save
When I graduated from University of North Carolina in December of 2020, I did what most fresh college graduates do and I started looking for a job in the environmental science field rather aimlessly. When I saw the job listing from Unique P...
| Michael Scisco, August 2024
Great Pee Dee Mitigation Bank
Total Acres 1,094 Project Year 2023 Located in Mason & Dillon Counties, SC The goal of the Great Pee Dee mitigation banking project is to preserve, enhance and restore streams and wetlands associated with the Great Pee Dee River, Mill Creek...
| Christine Pickens, August 2024
Why Do Wetlands Smell Bad?
The wetland superpower behind the stink and why you’ll be saying, “Oh no, my feet smell cheesy!” Experiencing nature can become enlightening when we use our five senses. In the case of wetlands, using your sense of smell can also help you u...
| Michael Scisco, August 2024
Pushmataha Bat Conservation Bank | Endangered Species
Total Acres 90 Project Year 2022 Located in Pushmataha County OK The purpose of this species mitigation bank is to help offset potential negative impacts on habitat for Indiana Bats (Endangered) and Northern Long-Eared Bats (Threatened) fro...
| Sam Warnock, August 2024
How to Value Ecosystem Services
Economics is all about determining how to best use our limited resources, and assigning a value to these can help us understand how scarce these resources are. When we value ecosystem services and biodiversity, we show what we're willing to...
| Michael Scisco, August 2024
Hatch's Hill | Conservation Mitigation Easement
Total Acres 56.2 Project Year 2024 Located in Wayne County NC The Hatch’s Hill Conservation Easement is located on active farms used for cropland and pasture for goats, donkeys, and alpaca. The 56.2‐acre conservation easement includes multi...
| Nathan Phillips, July 2024
New Leadership, Same Mission!
Two years ago, Clark Harris stepped up from our Board of Directors to lead Unique Places to Save through a planned two-year transition period. His work focused on leadership development and visioning for the organization and we are a much s...
| Sam Warnock, June 2024
What are Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem services (ES) is a buzzword that often appears when discussing ways to protect the environment. Although the term has been around since the 1980s, there’s a lot of confusion behind what it conveys. We’ll discuss ES’s meaning and h...
| Michael Scisco, April 2024
Conservation Offers a Strong ROI for Land Planners
Conservation efforts have historically been viewed through a narrow lens, primarily focused on environmental stewardship. This perspective, while critical for the protection of our planet's natural habitats and biodiversity, only scratches ...
| Sam Warnock, April 2024
Securing the Food Supply by Preserving Local Farmland
Many global challenges include climate change, population growth, and economic instability. However, the preservation of local farmland emerges as a linchpin in the quest for sustainability and resilience.
| Michael Scisco, April 2024
How Open Spaces Impact Property Values
Open spaces, such as parks, green belts, and protected natural areas, significantly influence the value of residential and commercial properties. Numerous studies and reports have highlighted the positive correlation between proximity to op...
| Michael Scisco, April 2024
Conservation in Every Listing: A Short Guide for Real Estate Agents
You may not know that real estate agents can incorporate conservation strategies when dealing with land plots as small as 10+ acres. However, these conservation initiatives enhance the property’s marketability and value. At the same time, t...
| Christine Pickens, March 2024
The State of Wetlands in the US
Historically, wetlands were misunderstood and undervalued, often dismissed as mere wastelands. This misconception led to widespread practices of filling them in or using them as dumping sites. However, our contemporary understanding has evo...
| Sam Warnock, March 2024
How Healthy Trees Can Boost Property Values & Reduce Costs
In the realm of real estate, a green landscape can significantly enhance the value of a property. Beyond mere aesthetics, trees play a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of residential and commercial areas.
| Christine Pickens, March 2024
Exploring the Diverse Ecosystem & Wildlife of the Deep River
Rivers are not just conduits of life-sustaining water; they are also bustling ecosystems teeming with diverse wildlife. From the majestic bald eagle to the sleek river otter, free-flowing rivers provide habitats for an abundance of species....
| Michael Scisco, February 2024
French Quarter Creek | Conservation Mitigation Easement
Total Acres 440.49
| Michael Scisco, February 2024
Cash for Land: Types of Grant Funding for Land Planners & Managers
The realm of real estate development is rapidly evolving, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and community welfare. Grant funding is one of the most promising avenues for developers looking to create positive contributions to the com...
| Michael Scisco, February 2024
Opportunities for Real Estate Developers in North Carolina's Conservation Efforts
Last year marked a significant turning point for many real estate developers in North Carolina. It was the start of an era where the paths of development and environmental conservation not only met but intertwined, offering a golden opportu...
| Christine Pickens, February 2024
Rivers Through the Seasons: A Majestic Journey of Flowing Water
Rivers are part of the fundamental support system for our environment and an essential part of the framework for economies and societies worldwide. Their importance cannot be overstated, yet their significance is often overlooked. In this b...