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Conservationists add to land protection "toolbox"   Local, regional and national groups are seeking creative ways to protect western landscapes. Conservation easements—long a staple for land protection—are increasingly supplemented by grass banks, grazing retirements, and more. Some groups, such as the Grand Canyon Trust and the Conservation Fund are even turning to work the land themselves. Read more below about the innovative conservation methods employed across the west. PROFILE The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy accepted its first conservation easement in 1976 on lands located in Montana's Blackfoot River Valley. Since that time, conservation easements have proved to be one of the most powerful, effective tools available for the conservation of private land. Private landowners have successfully used these voluntary conservation agreements to protect millions of acres of wildlife habitat, farm and ranchlands, and river corridors, all while keeping property in private hands and generating significant public benefit.   READ MORE >> PROFILE The Trust for Public Land Conservation easements, one of the most valuable tools available to protect open space, are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in some western states. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) believes easements are a valuable tool for protecting open space in communities, while at the same time keeping lands such as ranches in productive use. TPL works with communities around the nation to help them achieve their open-space goals. In the West, TPL has worked on a number of easements.   READ MORE >> IN THE NEWS "Eco-cowboys" purhcase ranches It's big. It's beautiful. And it now has a pair of new owners: the Grand Canyon Trust and the Conservation Fund, which soon will be running nearly 800 head of cattle on their new range. SEE FULL STORY >> IN THE NEWS Prairie dog gains useful friends The embattled Utah prairie dog faces an uncertain future, but plans are afoot to give the critter a boost. And the help is coming from some unlikely sources. SEE FULL STORY >> PROFILE Partnership of Rangeland Trusts From Kansas to Oregon, seven ranching-based land trusts have banded together in order to work collectively to leverage resources for rangeland conservation. READ MORE >> IN THE NEWS Trust accreditation program unveiled A Better Business Bureau for land trusts: That’s what the Land Trust Alliance would like to see, instead of federal legislation that would likely end most tax incentives for land conservation. SEE FULL STORY >>

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