A New Approach to Conservation

Most conservationists agree that the greatest threat to our private forests is commercial development or the conversion to more intensive uses. Yet much of the debate over America's forests focuses on the use of public lands. Most do not realize the most vulnerable forestlands are privately owned and that one million acres per year of these forests are being converted to parking lots, subdivisions, and other forms of development. Furthermore two million acres of private forestland per year are being fragmented – broken into parcels of 100 acres or less – leading to a wide array of land management practices within a single landscape. The combined result is permanent loss of forestland and the degradation of our ecosystems.

It has been estimated that conservation efforts have managed to put 2.75 million privately owned acres into protection. But with one million acres being lost annually, it is clear that this is not enough. We need a new way to bring money into forest conservation. Forest Legacy Investments has a new approach.

Forest Legacy Investments employs a leading edge conservation strategy that permanently protects forestland from development through a “working forest” investment approach. A “working forest” approach balances conservation with capital return through harvesting and other uses. The investment programs are designed to provide attractive financial benefits while making a significant contribution to forest conservation.

This approach can substantially increase the amount of forestland protected every year.

Environmentalists Agree

The working forest approach is already endorsed, and in some cases practiced, by some of the leading U.S. conservation organizations. Forest Legacy Investments has alliance relationships with key strategic partners.

Sustainable Harvesting and Forest Stewardship Council Certification

FLI will opportunistically pursue third-party certification such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in many cases. The long-term conservation plan of FLI's funds will ultimately create a functioning, native ecosystem surpassing FSC certification standards while delivering attractive financial returns to investors. FLI and the qualified land trust who will receive the forestland as a donation will operate under a jointly created forest management and restoration plan.

Land Trust Partners

FLI partners with qualified land trusts to create a conservation strategy for the forestland. The land trust may work s with FLI to identify forestland for purchase, and to create a management and restoration plan that yields the desired investment returns consistent with sound conservation practices. At the end of the investment term the land trust becomes the steward of the land. Replanting is for a native ecosystem, not a tree farm. The long-term goal is to improve the health of the forestland. Many land trusts agree that FLI's approach is the best alternative for maximizing the amount of forestland that will be protected permanently.

The Long Term Benefits

FLI's approach to conservation has many benefits, all stemming from putting more land into conservation than otherwise would occur solely through philanthropy.

Larger Contiguous Ecosystems and Habitat Protection
Through FLI's land preservation strategies, endangered and threatened species will have a better chance to mate and raise their young. Large, protected natural areas allow wildlife the freedom to move between feeding and shelter areas of their ranges. The greatest value of contiguous ecosystems is in maintaining the vitality and diversity of native plant and animal populations. Natural areas and entire ecosystems must be restored, protected, and maintained if a region's native plants and animals are to survive in the next century. Protecting fragmented parcels of forest does not fully achieve this, yet due to capital constraints many conservation efforts are restricted to protecting smaller parcels.

Watershed Protection
Degradation of forests means degradation of our water supplies. Degradation also has a harmful effect on important aquatic habitats for species such as salmon. Once a river or stream front has been developed, it will likely never return to a natural state. Water supplies for drinking, agriculture, and energy generation often flow from upland forested catchments. The ability of forests to catch and filter water is a great value to society and our economy.

Native Forests
By replanting with native species, FLI and its land trust partners begin the restoration of forests to their natural ecosystems. A forest with native tree species, flora, and fauna is able to provide a more natural and diverse habitat.

Carbon Sequestration
The amount of anthropogenic (man-made) carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere, primarily because of expanding use of fossil fuels, has risen. Predictions of global energy use in the next century suggest a continued increase in carbon emissions and rising concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. At the same time, terrestrial carbon sequestration is decreasing due in large part to deforestation. Efforts on all fronts are required to reduce concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, including protection of forests. Forest Legacy Investment's approach allows for permanent conservation of forests and thus protection from pollutants.