A significant portion of the wildlife habitat in the continental United States is privately owned. Conservation easements are a valuable tool for protecting working landscapes and habitat values on private land for our trust resources.  This one-week course provides an overview of the planning, acquisition, management, and enforcement of conservation easements.  Emphasis is on easements the Service acquires as a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). Course goals include increasing consistency, and building understanding and cooperation among Service personnel involved in conservation easements.

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Determine if a conservation easement is the appropriate tool;
• Make strategic, science driven, collaborative and adaptive choices;
• Engage with the potential sellers, the community and potential partners;
• Acquire conservation easements in accordance with Service policy;
• Develop and maintain working relationships with landowners/communities;
• Effectively manage conservation easements and their uses; and
• Ensure the United States’ interests in the land are protected.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Project leaders, refuge managers, planners, realty specialists, law enforcement officers and all others who play a role in the planning, acquisition, management and enforcement of NWRS conservation easements.