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| Home » Conservationold : NEFF Conservation Resources | ||
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NEFF's Conservation Philosophy & Strategy By Amos Eno From Teddy Roosevelt to Earth Day and Al Gore, every major environmental initiative has been about empowering federal and state governments at the expense of private landowners. But today most federal agencies are struggling to afford, much less manage and increase their existing infrastructures. The finances of most state conservation agencies are even more precarious.  Over the past 30 years, an environmental ethic has developed throughout all strata of society. Many individual and family landowners, and even large private and public corporations, have adopted a conservation ethic to a point whereby many people wish to do right by conservation. Private individuals and corporations own 71% of the land base of our lower 48 states and 80% of the forestland in New England. Therefore, the resolution of almost any environmental issue today must address the interests of private landowners who control the majority of the nation's natural resources. With a scarcity of federal and state dollars in the foreseeable future, private landowners will place a premium on low-cost, effective conservation packages. Conservation partners who can customize a deal for client interests will be in high demand. NEFF's core suite of skills and distinguishing trait of collaboration with private forestland owners perfectly positions us to fill this single most important niche market in conservation. NEFF accomplishes its mission of conserving private forestland and encouraging sustainable forestry in two main ways, our land conservation program and our Foundation Forest system. Our land conservation program uses a variety of tools and partnerships to craft unique solutions for willing landowners that work for all parties. NEFF currently holds 87 conservation easements protecting more than 775,000 acres of private forestland, including the 762,192-acre Pingree easement, the largest conservation easement of its kind in the world. NEFF owns 128 properties consisting of over 22,000 acres throughout New England. Our Foundation Forests are managed as demonstrations of sustainable forestry for other landowners. They are also a valuable asset for local communities as educational platforms, recreation sites, and protected open space. Private landowners respond to self-interest and financial incentives. That is where the market is, and that is where the future of conservation lies. NEFF is uniquely situated to step forward and provide leadership and opportunities where mainline environmental groups and public agencies have fallen short. | ||
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