WLA’s Federal Policy Recommendations

As landowners and land managers, we recognize that well-managed lands are the cornerstones of both human communities and the ecosystems on which we all depend. We have a deep, vested stake in these lands and the lived experience of what it means to own and manage land, produce food and fiber, and to steward wildlife and natural resources on a daily basis. We are at a pivotal point in deciding how we move conservation policies, the economy and our food systems forward. The right mix of pro-active investments and policies to support land stewardship and conservation can ensure the scales tip towards a more sustainable future.

Our federal policy recommendations reflect those priorities and lay out a path forward.

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Redefining Conservation for the 21st Century

Our roadmap to a conservation model that works for rural America, working lands and wildlife. Conservation as usual isn’t working. We are literally losing ground and natural resources every day.…

New Mexicans Agree

New Mexico needs permanent statewide funding for agricultural and natural resources projects

Working Wild Challenge Policy Recommendations

Working lands stitch together the patchwork of land ownership that creates the character of the American West – open space, valued by both people and wildlife. Many rural communities have…

Aspen Next Generation

Aspen trees and forests are especially important in the Rocky Mountains. Aspens add beauty to landscapes, foster high diversity and productivity of understory plants, provide for the habitat needs of many species of animals, and moderate fire behavior. There is a perception that aspen trees and stands are not regenerating well in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico; cohorts of trees younger than a few decades are scarce, at least in some areas. The next generation of aspen in the southern Rockies will be influenced by land use decisions, including harvesting, fire policy and management, and browsing by livestock and wildlife.

Paying for Stewardship

This guide presents some ways landowners can earn compensation for their stewardship efforts directly or indirectly—schemes sometimes referred to as payments for ecosystem services, ecosystem services markets, or conservation finance. It goes beyond description to provide illustrative case studies of these strategies at work.

Collaborative Wildlife Migration Corridor Workshops

This report provides an overview of the latest efforts towards migration corridor management in each of the three states, and reports findings from the workshops. The report summarizes the discussion by workshop participants about what is working in their state, as well as opportunities to improve migration corridor management and conservation.

BofA Succession Planning Featured Image-100

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 3: Alternate Ownership Structures

What factors should you consider when selecting an ownership structure for your ranch? What questions should you be sure to answer before deciding? What are differences between an LLC, a C Corporation, and an S Corporation? What are the benefits to partnership, cooperative or shared ownership structures, and what are the drawbacks? Why or when would someone choose a less common ownership structure?

Habitat Conservation Strategies for Migrating Wildlife

Landowner perspectives gained through one-on-one interviews and focus groups throughout the Upper Rio Grande region provide the foundation for the recommendations contained within this toolkit. These perspectives are shared side-by-side with concise strategies for policymakers, funders, and organizations looking to improve wildlife habitat in this dynamic trans-boundary region of Colorado and New Mexico.

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 2: Family Governance

What defines “family governance” and what key factors drive the type of governance structure a family puts into place? How does one effectively integrate family members into its governing structure? What are some governance issues one encounters when creating and administering trusts?

Conservation Economics on Western Working Lands

Conservation is a form of economics What policy conditions would empower landowners to allocate time, talent and resources to biodiversity and connectivity? This question is the center of this paper,…

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