--- title: Updates & News (8) description: Learn about our latest restoration & conservation efforts and discover how healthy land & aquatic resources benefit our communities across the US (8) image: https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/river%20flow%20healthy%20rivers%20dam%20removal.jpg --- [![Unique Places to Save logo](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20horizontal-1.png?width=1254&height=380&name=logo%20horizontal-1.png "Unique Places to Save logo")](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/) - [PROJECTS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/projects) - SERVICES - [FOR MITIGATION BANKERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/conservation-mitigation) - [FOR LAND MANAGERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/land-planners-managers) - [FOR LANDOWNERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/conservation-for-landowners) - [FOR RESTORATION PARTNERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/dam-removals) - ABOUT - [OUR GOALS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/our-goals) - [OUR VALUES](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/our-values) - [OUR TEAM](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/team) - [CAREERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/careers) - [CONTACT US](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/contact) - UPDATES - [CONSERVATION EASEMENTS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-easements) - [MITIGATION BANKING](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking) - [WORKING LANDS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/working-lands) - [RIVERS, WETLANDS & DAMS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/rivers-wetlands-dams) - [CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-and-development) - [CONSERVATION STORIES](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-stories) - [ORGANIZATION NEWS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/organization-news) - [ALL POSTS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news) [Donate](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/wetland-keepers) [Donate](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/wetland-keepers) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Updates & News Learn about our latest restoration & conservation efforts and discover how healthy land & aquatic resources benefit our communities across the US ![service 1 d](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/service%201%20d.png) ![service 1 m](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/service%201%20m.png)   [All posts](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news) [Conservation Easements](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-easements) [Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking) [Working Lands](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/working-lands) [Rivers, Wetlands & Dams](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/rivers-wetlands-dams) [Conservation & Development](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-and-development) [Conservation Stories](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-stories) [Organization News](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/organization-news) [![An aerial view of a block of autumn woodland surrounded by farm fields.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/photo%20of%20land%20with%20conservation%20easement.jpg?width=900&name=photo%20of%20land%20with%20conservation%20easement.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/financial-basics-conservation-easement) [Conservation Easements](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-easements) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, January 2025 ### [The Financial Basics of Conservation Easements](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/financial-basics-conservation-easement) Conservation easements are voluntary agreements landowners can utilize to permanently protect their property from incompatible uses. They also have fairly significant financial incentives that can benefit landowners by providing tax deducti... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/financial-basics-conservation-easement) [![An aerial view of a shallow river braiding over a rocky bed between wooded banks.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mid%20reach%20river%20ecology-1.jpg?width=900&name=mid%20reach%20river%20ecology-1.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mid-reaches-river-ecology-conservation) [Rivers, Wetlands & Dams](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/rivers-wetlands-dams) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Christine Pickens, December 2024 ### [The Mid-Reaches: Part Two on River Ecology & Conservation](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mid-reaches-river-ecology-conservation) Welcome back to our series on river ecology and conservation. This is a follow-up article to one published recently about headwater river ecology & conservation. If you haven’t read that yet, hop over there first! Otherwise, keep swimming d... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mid-reaches-river-ecology-conservation) [![A family walking along a stony river bank in summer.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/natural%20capital%20conservation%20land%20easements.jpeg?width=900&name=natural%20capital%20conservation%20land%20easements.jpeg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/natural-capital-conservation-easements) [Conservation Easements](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-easements) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, December 2024 ### [Building Natural Capital Through Conservation Easements: A Lasting Legacy](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/natural-capital-conservation-easements) At Unique Places to Save, we work with landowners and communities to conserve land and aquatic resources with ecological, cultural, and economic value. One of the primary tools we use to achieve this is the conservation easement. A conserva... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/natural-capital-conservation-easements) [![A stream flowing over mossy rocks in a wooded gorge, the water blurred by a long exposure.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/headwaters%20river%20ecology%20conservation.jpg?width=900&name=headwaters%20river%20ecology%20conservation.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/headwaters-river-ecology-conservation) [Rivers, Wetlands & Dams](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/rivers-wetlands-dams) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Christine Pickens, November 2024 ### [At The Headwaters: Part One on River Ecology & Conservation](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/headwaters-river-ecology-conservation) This blog post is the first of a three part series on River Ecology & Conservation by Christine Pickens, PhD. At Unique Places to Save, we put a special emphasis on protecting aquatic resources. One of the most prominent aquatic resource fe... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/headwaters-river-ecology-conservation) [![A group of people walking in single file along a grassy bank beside water.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/health%20benefits%20outdoor%20recreation.jpg?width=900&name=health%20benefits%20outdoor%20recreation.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/nurtured-by-nature-outdoor-recreation-benefits) [Conservation Easements](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-easements) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, November 2024 ### [Nurtured by Nature: Why Outdoor Recreation Matters](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/nurtured-by-nature-outdoor-recreation-benefits) While the benefits of being outdoors–such as soaking up vitamin D, boosting your mood, and getting more exercise–has always been emphasized, the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for recreational activities and social interacti... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/nurtured-by-nature-outdoor-recreation-benefits) [![Sunrise through a line of park trees, casting long shadows across mown grass as someone walks past.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/examples%20of%20sustainable%20real%20estate%20development%20conservation%20easements.jpg?width=900&name=examples%20of%20sustainable%20real%20estate%20development%20conservation%20easements.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/sustainable-real-estate-development) [Conservation & Development](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-and-development) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, October 2024 ### [Recent Examples of Sustainable Conservation in Real Estate Development](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/sustainable-real-estate-development) Today, environmental stewardship is increasingly regarded as a social responsibility. In response, many land developers are recognizing the importance of balancing economic growth with the preservation of natural ecosystems and are embracin... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/sustainable-real-estate-development) [![An aerial view of a green field marked with curving tramlines.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/working%20lands%20conservation%20easement.jpg?width=900&name=working%20lands%20conservation%20easement.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/working-lands-conservation) [Working Lands](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/working-lands) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, October 2024 ### [Working Lands & Conservation](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/working-lands-conservation) Working lands conservation is a practice aimed at conserving natural resources and biodiversity while also sustaining productive agricultural or forestry activities and operations. It involves integrating conservation easements into working... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/working-lands-conservation) [![Two male sage grouse facing each other with their tails fanned in display.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sage%20grouse%20species%20mitigation%20bank.jpg?width=900&name=sage%20grouse%20species%20mitigation%20bank.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/zunino-ranch-mitigation-bank) [Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, October 2024 ### [Zunino Ranch Mitigation Bank](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/zunino-ranch-mitigation-bank) Total Acres 338 Project Year 2024 Located in Elko County Nevada Zunino Ranch Conservation Credit System Project is part of the Sagebrush Ecosystem Program (SEP) in Nevada. The SEP was legislatively established in 2013 and worked to develop ... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/zunino-ranch-mitigation-bank) [![A view over rolling green hills and hedged fields toward distant uplands under a cloudy sky.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/value%20natural%20capital%20economy.jpg?width=900&name=value%20natural%20capital%20economy.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/natural-capital-economic-value) [Conservation & Development](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-and-development) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Sam Warnock, October 2024 ### [Natural Capital and Its Value to the Economy](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/natural-capital-economic-value) When you think of capital, you probably think of money or investments. But at its core, capital is anything that: Stores or confers value Generates benefits Grows in value over time We’re all familiar with financial capital—the money and re... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/natural-capital-economic-value) [![A harvested field sloping up to a wooded ridge, with a raised hunting box at the field edge.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/working%20lands%20conservation%20mitigation.jpg?width=900&name=working%20lands%20conservation%20mitigation.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/working-lands-mitigation) [Working Lands](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/working-lands) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, October 2024 ### [Working Lands & Mitigation](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/working-lands-mitigation) At first glance, mitigation and working lands may not seem compatible. People might believe that conducting stream and wetland mitigation work adjacent to working lands will reduce or limit agricultural production. If planned correctly, mit... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/working-lands-mitigation) [![A large green cornfield under a clear blue sky, bounded by a distant treeline.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/jigsaw%20mitigation%20conservation%20easement%20north%20carolina.jpg?width=900&name=jigsaw%20mitigation%20conservation%20easement%20north%20carolina.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/first-days-conservation-specialist) [Organization News](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/organization-news) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Mandi Taylor, September 2024 ### [First Days at Unique Places to Save](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/first-days-conservation-specialist) 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... [Read more ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/first-days-conservation-specialist) [![A coastal marsh of reeds and open water under a wide, cloudy sky.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/gulf%20coast%20plains%20wetland%20conservation%20mitigation%20easement%20non-profit.jpg?width=900&name=gulf%20coast%20plains%20wetland%20conservation%20mitigation%20easement%20non-profit.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/gulf-coast-plains-wetland-mitigation-bank) [Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking) ‎ ‎ |‎ ‎ Michael Scisco, September 2024 ### [Gulf Coast Plains Wetland Mitigation Bank](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/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... 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