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 landscapes such as farms, ranches, and forests to help preserve both economic and environmental benefits. This approach recognizes the importance of preserving ecosystem services like clean water, soil health, and wildlife habitat while supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on these lands for their economic activities.
"Working lands" refers to areas of land that are actively managed for economic production while also providing ecological benefits. These lands are typically used for agriculture, forestry, ranching, and other resource-based activities. Here are some key descriptions of working lands:
Agricultural Lands: This includes cropland, pastureland, and orchards where food, fiber, and other agricultural products are cultivated.
Forests: Managed forests that produce timber and non-timber forest products, while also serving as habitats for wildlife and playing a role in carbon sequestration.
Rangelands: Grasslands and shrublands that are used for grazing livestock and can support biodiversity and various ecosystem functions.
A conservation easement is often a perpetual voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or a qualified conservation organization that permanently limits the uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. The primary goal of a conservation easement is to ensure that the land is preserved for conservation purposes, such as protecting wildlife habitats, maintaining open space, preserving agricultural or forest land, and/or safeguarding water resources, while allowing the landowner to retain ownership and use of the property.
Working lands in agriculture constitute 40% of the U.S. land mass or 900 million acres. Another 20% or 445 million acres is in private forested lands. This means that 60% of the U.S. is in private working lands! There is ample opportunity to conserve these productive lands.
Working lands also represent opportunities to permanently protect other conservation and community values including:
15 million acres of agricultural land is under conservation. While this seems like a lot (and it is), it is only 1.6% of all agricultural land. In addition, over 15 million acres of forested land is under conservation. Again, impressive, but it is only 3.2% of all forested lands. 30 million acres of conserved is proof of concept that preserving working lands is important, but…there is a lot more work to be done!
Thankfully there is some funding available at all levels of government for the conservation of working lands. While each state and local municipality differs on whether funding is available and how much, the federal government has four very popular funding programs for working lands conservation:
In summary, working lands conservation is vital for balancing economic productivity with environmental sustainability, protecting natural resources, and ensuring long-term ecological and community well-being.
Conserving working lands and associated aquatic ecosystems is essential for protecting our community’s long term food supplies and ecological diversity, and you can help make a difference. By supporting Unique Places to Save, you’re directly contributing to conservation of working lands and natural resources that benefit all of us. Your efforts help ensure these systems continue to provide healthy food, clean water, fertile soil, and habitats for countless species.