LAND CONSERVATION

When you “conserve” something, you protect it from being damaged or destroyed. In the case of land conservation, the goal is to safeguard land in its natural state and, in some cases, covert developed properties back into greenspaces. In practical terms, conservation takes place in both big and small ways.

Donating or selling land at a low cost to conservation organizations such as DLC is fundamental to this mission. But our planet benefits enormously from acts such as planting trees, learning how to be an optimal steward of your own land, and fostering appreciation for the natural world in those around us.

LAND FACTS

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is by far the nation's largest, but over 1500 smaller trusts operate in local regions throughout the United States. Nationwide, the number of trusts grew from 535 in 1984 to 1663 in 2005.

The Why and How of Land Conservation

Preservation

Preservation of the environment means that lands and their natural resources should not be consumed by humans and should instead be maintained in their pristine form. Preservationists strongly believe that humans can have access to the land but should only utilize it for its natural beauty and inspiration.

Restoration

Another technique used in land conservation is restoration, which is the process of returning ecosystems and communities to their original natural conditions. In order to restore an ecosystem, scientists must first examine the current environment and do research to determine the historical conditions of the ecosystem. They want to determine what the environment was like before it was altered by humans. Once they have assessed the environment, scientists will develop methods to try to bring the area back to its original state. This often includes introducing native animals, planting native plants, restoring waterways to their natural path, and removing human infrastructure.

Wildlife

Land conservation helps protect water resources for wildlife, as well as habitat and open space for their age-old migratory corridors and flyways crucial to maintaining their populations. As land stewards, private landowners play a huge role in supporting wildlife—maintaining, for example, healthy herds of game animals in New Mexico. After all, wildlife and nature, in general, don’t recognize property lines.