Land Trusts need an efficient mechanism, or tool to aid in the proper follow through and care of land acquisitions to protect the initial investment and provide sustainable ongoing land stewardship.
Regional Land Trust Alliances support the acquisition or easement sale (purchase of development rights) of land to ensure open space for the future generations to enjoy. Open space is sought, not only for the sake of having multiple acres of continuous undeveloped land, yet also to promote biodiversity in the ecosystem services that abound, or that can be restored. To date, most land that is protected does not have adequate land stewardship planning to promote healthy ecosystems. Protected land is mostly traditionally farmed, or left fallow, neither of which best attain environmental sustainability goals. The missing link is follow through, which can be accomplished with agreed upon goals established in a simple land stewardship plan. Habitats can be protected and/or regenerated to encourage a number of species, both flora and fauna, that without proper land stewardship, would likely not flourish, or worse, exist. With greater biodiversity comes better soils, air and water quality can be improved and soil erosion decreased. Native plant colonies encourage native pollinator species, and the progress goes on and on. A land stewardship plan should focus on wildlife management, both fauna and flora, habitat regeneration, and the follow through and care of increasing biodiversity. Many times incentives through the farm bill can be utilized, even when there is an easement agreement, that can not only pay for proper land care, yet also pay a bonus on top of maintenance costs. Land Stewardship plans can be created for a region, creating a template that can be utilized with many types of land and habitats within that same region, with only minor changes to the plan. This “template” then simplifies the process and allows the Land Trust to focus more attention on acquiring land, with the assurance that proper management will follow.
- Land Trusts provide viable solution for proper land stewardship
- Increased biodiversity in ecosystem services; healthier habitats, increased species, improved water quality, decreased soil erosion
- Efficiencies gained by creating regional template for land stewardship
- Clear direction for land stewardship on acquired open space