How We Save Wildlife Habitats

We are dedicated to connecting critical wildlife habitat, balancing ecological, economic, and social needs.

We Create a Different Kind of Forest Economy

For most landowners, their forests are a source of wood products and revenue, and their decisions about how to manage their lands are driven by market forces. Our work creates a market pull for conservation.

We developed the Working Forest Conservation Easement, a legal designation that protects land from subdivision and development forever while guiding forest management to achieve habitat protection and restoration. This gives landowners the financial resources and flexibility they need to steward complex forest habitats and sustainably harvest timber resources at the same time.

We Restore and Safeguard WILDLIFE HABITATS—PERMANENTLY

Working Forest Conservation Easements permanently protect the special habitats and species of concern for each landscape. As we work with landowners to set up new conservation easements, we develop plans to provide permanent protections and pathways to restore habitats for wildlife. Working Forest Conservation Easements allow landowners to cultivate healthy and diverse habitats for all walks, crawls, and slithers of life to survive.

We Protect LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS

By developing policies and best practices, we make it easier for landowners to manage their forests and protect wildlife at the same time. Many times, managing for more natural forest conditions creates exactly the kind of homes that vulnerable species need, especially those animals protected by state and federal Endangered Species Acts.

We worked with state and federal wildlife agencies to develop a streamlined, two-step approach for obtaining Safe Harbor Agreements, a voluntary deal that provides assurances for landowners who contribute to the recovery of listed species. With a working forest conservation easement, landowners can “pre-qualify” for a Safe Harbor Agreement. This way threatened species get the habitat they need, and landowners avoid costly fines or delays when they work their land.

We Enhance Wildlife Habitats

We provide financial and technical support to help our landowners and agency partners kick-start hundreds of acres of habitat enhancement projects, which improve rare habitat on privately owned, managed forestland. We are currently focusing on restoring wet meadow and aspen habitats as well as managed conifer forests with old-growth qualities.

Explore Habitats We Conserve

Learn more about some of the habitats we protect and enhance, working with agencies and landowners.

Aspen Meadow

Douglas Fir

Early Seral Conifer Forest

Late Seral + Mature Conifer Forests

Redwood

Wet Meadow

HOW YOU CAN HELP

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