Data points to trust gap with agencies, willingness to adapt among producers
We asked more than 6,000 agricultural water users in the Colorado River Basin what they thought about the current situation, their use of and interest in conservation practices, and their preferences for how to address water shortages going forward. More than 1,000 responded. Explore the data and read our report on the findings.
Western Landowners welcome historic USDA working lands investment
On June 27th, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced major changes and new investments that recognize and support the vital role that working lands play in sustaining wildlife. The USDA is committing $500 million and leveraging resources from all available conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program, into its highly successful Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks.
Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund established
The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund became law in New Mexico in March. The fund is a bipartisan product of WLA's leadership over five years of negotiations among a broad coalition of legislators, state agencies, community stakeholders and non-governmental organizations. The historic bill, funded with an initial $100 million appropriation, will create the state’s first dedicated and long-term funding stream for land and water conservation.
Priorities
The Habitat Lease
Critical habitat for wildlife in the West is disappearing at an alarming rate. We're working on a big solution.
A simple, proven model, applied at scale
Habitat leases are designed to secure existing habitat and ecological services currently provided on private lands that meet threshold requirements for ecological site condition.
America the Beautiful & the West
Our roadmap to a new conservation model
We can’t afford to waste any more time with top-down solutions that don’t work. It’s time for an entirely new approach to conservation. Learn more about how WLA is shaping that approach by bringing the voice of land stewardship to bear at all levels of government.
The Working Wild Challenge
Thriving ranches and thriving wildlife.
Landowner leadership to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock
Our approach leads to stronger partnerships, more resilient ranches, and ultimately, better-connected landscapes.
On Land
The Voice of Stewardship in the American West
Magazine + Podcast
WLA's magazine
On Land tells the stories of stewardship in a new West, in the voices of the people who are living it, at the leading edge of a future that puts people and nature together again for the benefit of both.
The Habitat Lease
Critical habitat for wildlife in the West is disappearing at an alarming rate. We're working on a big solution.
A simple, proven model, applied at scale
Habitat leases are designed to secure existing habitat and ecological services currently provided on private lands that meet threshold requirements for ecological site condition.
America the Beautiful and the West
Ensuring this federal conservation initiative works for landowners and rural communities, respects property rights, and improves conservation outcomes.
Read our roadmap to a new conservation model
We can’t afford to waste any more time with top-down solutions that don’t work. It’s time for an entirely new approach to conservation. Learn more about how WLA is shaping that approach by bringing the voice of land stewardship to bear at all levels of government.
The Working Wild Challenge
Thriving ranches and thriving wildlife.
Landowner leadership to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock
Our approach leads to stronger partnerships, more resilient ranches, and ultimately, better-connected landscapes.
On Land
The Voice of Stewardship in the American West
Magazine + Podcast
WLA's magazine
On Land tells the stories of stewardship in a new West, in the voices of the people who are living it, at the leading edge of a future that puts people and nature together again for the benefit of both.
PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS IN THE WEST
WORKING LANDS, CONNECTED LANDSCAPES, NATIVE SPECIES
Together these things make up the revered and vital character of the American West. Landowner leaders are stepping up to keep them intact.
We know that the people living and working closest to the earth every day are our best hope for overcoming the challenges we face in the West. Can you help by answering just one question right now?
OUR MISSION
Western Landowners Alliance advances policies and practices that sustain working lands, connected landscapes and native species.
OUR VISION
We envision a future in which private and leased public lands in the West are resilient to stressors, healthy, and biologically diverse, and provide for prosperous rural livelihoods and critical ecological services.
OUR APPROACH
We provide a collective voice, a peer network and a shared knowledge base for landowners striving to keep the land whole and healthy.
What We Do
VOICE
Bringing landowner perspectives and stories to bear on major issues shaping the West.
STEWARDSHIP
WLA’s peer network and shared knowledge base is designed for landowners striving to keep the land whole and healthy.
POLICY
Advancing pragmatic, common ground solutions that sustain working lands, connected landscapes and native species.
The West Needs Your Voice
Join our collective effort and enjoy the benefits of membership.
MEDIA CENTER
Western Landowners Alliance is proud to share our stewardship videos.
Join WLA to stay up to date on the most important news and policy for land stewards.
Become a member for free today and we will send you the news and policy developments critical to the economic and ecological health of working lands.
WLA works on behalf of landowners and practitioners throughout the West. We will never share your contact information with anyone.