Conservation: Protecting the Land
What is Conservation?
The Peconic Land Trust has worked with landowners to help plan and accomplish conservation projects that meet their goals and financial needs. We create partnerships with landowners, communities and all levels of government to develop win-win solutions that conserve land while respecting the rights of the individual.
How It Works
We use these general guidelines when working with landowners to determine appropriate land conservation methods.
Understand The Land To Be Protected
As land is artificially divided, property lines rarely conform to significant natural features, much less habitats or scenic vistas. This being the case, the Trust analyzes each project by looking at the property’s existing conditions, natural features, and surrounding land uses.
Learn more about Criteria for Conservation Projects the Peconic Land Trust uses to conserve working farms and natural lands and the various options available to landowners to achieve their conservation goals.
Understand The Goals And Circumstances Of The Landowner
In order to preserve land, it is essential to understand the goals, needs, and circumstances of a landowner. For example, if a landowner desires to pass land on to the next generation and has strong conservation interests, it may be possible to preserve the land through the use of a conservation easement to a private conservation organization. If a landowner is interested in conservation and realizing the equity within the land, a limited development approach may preserve the most significant portion of the parcel, while providing the landowner with a reasonable financial return.
Devote The Resources Necessary To Actively Manage Protected Land
It is important to understand and account for the financial resources needed to effectively manage the conserved land, including:
- the basic maintenance of land, including regular monitoring of the land, posting, clean-up, etc.;
- the restoration and enhancement of natural features such as agricultural soils, wetlands, and habitats; and
- the extent and nature of public access, including the construction and maintenance of improvements such as trails and other facilities.
Meet the Staff
John v.H. Halsey
President
jhalsey@peconiclandtrust.org
Matt Swain
Vice President
MSwain@peconiclandtrust.org
Holly Sanford
Senior Project Manager
HSanford@PeconicLandTrust.org
Julie Wesnofske
Senior Project Manager
jwesnofske@peconiclandtrust.org
Jessie McSwane
Director, Stewardship
JMcSwane@peconiclandtrust.org