Sustainable Conservation’s Post

Here is something that Renae Frigo and I wrote about the Natural Areas Stewardship Act and The Conservation Foundation’s involvement. We dive deep into how The Conservation Foundation has since been active in activities supported by the Act’s grants program. #conservation #sustainability

📅 One year ago today, NEWT and partners published the groundbreaking report, "Wildlands in New England: Past, Present, and Future," which issued a clarion call for accelerated wildlands conservation in the Northeast. The first-of-its-kind analysis quantified the extent of permanently protected landscapes in New England. The results were sobering: Just over 3 percent of the region enjoys the promise of a future free from development and exploitation. NEWT strives every day to increase that number. By conserving wildlands alongside working forests and farms, and supporting sustainable, resilient communities, we can secure a brighter, more hopeful future for humans and wildlife. Read the report here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ecY2vn-y

Fragmentation is one of the nation’s most urgent conservation challenges. As land is sub-divided, so are its natural resources: clean air, clean water, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and more. Smaller units become progressively less productive until they finally lose their connectivity to the larger ecosystem and cease to function. In this interview with Land.com Network, the Alliance vice president of conservation initiatives, Erin Heskett, answers five questions about land trusts and their work to prevent land fragmentation. This is a great read for those interested in learning about how land trusts work with landowners to keep land intact in perpetuity.

A new report from the Center for American Progress and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators identifies how states and territories across the U.S. are generating innovative conservation solutions for the benefit of communities and wildlife.With solutions tailored to their states, these leaders are collectively building a menu of policies that could turn the tide of nature loss. But while recent conservation momentum from states and territories is encouraging, still more is needed and possible. Scaling up impact in the face of extinction and climate crises combined with growing pressures on state budgets and other challenges, will take even deeper commitment from state leaders, local advocates, federal partners and private philanthropy. Learn more from Drew McConville and Kate Burgess here: https://lnkd.in/e9y2kZFZ

Does conservation work? This new study shows that it can and does! When communities and NGOs work together to protect wild animals and habitats, nature can recover. Protected areas, reintroduction and restoration programs, and efforts to reduce threats to wild animals work in 2/3rds of the cases when compared to no action. We see this progress in the sea turtle world with several populations starting to recover, including the black turtle sub-species in Mexico, hawksbill turtles in Mexico and Panama, Kemp’s Ridleys in Mexico and the US, and more. Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/gcP798Jx

It’s an exciting day for nature and people! Today’s signing of the historic Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation between the First Nations Leadership Council and the governments of Canada and British Columbia is an impressive and laudable advancement for conservation in the nation. “Today’s news unlocks an unprecedented funding commitment for on-the-ground action in British Columbia to halt the loss of iconic species and protect landscapes in partnership with Indigenous Peoples,” says Tim Burkhart, Y2Y’s director of landscape protection. “Congratulations are due for the leadership of the signatories.” The agreement intends to help align the conservation priorities of Canada, B.C. and First Nations, and provide the means to implement actions to achieve those priorities, including through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Crucially, the agreement includes commitments to reconciliation by recognizing the fundamental leadership of Indigenous Peoples in conservation and land stewardship through partnership and as signatories to the agreement. Y2Y is engaged with Indigenous partners to build strategies and support for Indigenous-led conservation proposals and declarations in northern B.C. With more than one billion dollars in provincial and federal investment tied to this agreement, it is time to realize meaningful action on the ground. Read more and join us in celebrating this good news!

Thinking of a Conservation Easement? This clarifies many of the misunderstandings about them. Please read.

This article came out three months into us being live as a Responsible Body. seemingly, we are the first active England wide RB. It's been quite a ride and learning opportunity, supported by a fantastic team RSK Wilding and RSK Biocensus. So what have we learned? Here are a few points so far. *very few LPAs seem to be in the same position *there is a marked difference in standards and approaches in the BNG market *it is complex to understand the risk profiles of schemes over 30 years * agility + cadence does not always = quality *while assurance is not confirmed, many are aiming for the best quality they can *the significance of the change BNG will deliver to the development industry is not going to be equal to the scale of impact it will deliver for nature recovery *people have vastly different ideas and perspectives on the ease with which restoration can take place and be maintained *we love the passion of all the actors leading the way on standards and just managing to get things in the system delivered. at all levels. *it's hard to distinguish the current wave of BNG needs from an accurate perspective on future market needs across England. floods and droughts look likely. *there are real tensions over the scale of the market and displacement of delivery *small developers seem to get penalised in some areas because part units are being blocked. Natalie Bryce is the legal brain that makes this possible, with thanks to Richard Howe Anna Smith Jon Davies Elizabeth Clements CIEEM for their hard work up to now. Also, thank you to our prospective clients and their patience as we started. Some of whom will see their conservation covenants come to life over the next few months.

This report from Norfolk, covering 78,000ha of land, again confirms the idea that using farmland to expand and link up small pockets of protected habitats will be a core principle over the next decades. 84% of the land area was farmed. 73% of protected species were found in 2% of the land. After changing my career into conservation, I found nature pushed into small corners and protected by some very dedicated people over the last 40 years. That protection needs to continue while we transition the landscape to allow the expansion of species from those safe havens, whilst being realistic about the rural economy. https://lnkd.in/e8dKnzQh

From local conservation efforts that are having a dramatic impact on the Amazon, to the discovery of a species once thought lost, here are some 2023 highlights about how nature and human well-being are intertwined — and what it takes to protect them.