Developing Conservation-Friendly Public Policies
Conservation efforts are dependent on supportive public policy. Without a framework of legislative action, conservation efforts are destined to fail. This entails constructive governmental action in areas such as road construction, parks management, invasive species, wetlands protection and international agreements.
Our Global Conservation Initiatives and Related Policy Work:
Improving Public Land Management
The Nature Conservancy works with public land management agencies in a variety of ways. Through its land acquisition programs, the Conservancy assists public agencies in acquiring or trading key properties through land exchanges and purchases. The Conservancy works cooperatively with public land management agencies on conservation planning, identification of threats such as fire suppression and invasive species, and threat abatement programs to conserve biodiversity on public land.
For more information:
Susan Hicks
shicks@tnc.org
Supporting Farms and Protecting Natural Resources
Farming and conservation go hand-in-hand to reach mutual goals. Conservation practices help farmers, ranchers and other landowners continue their traditional ways of life by protecting the natural resources and habitats that are vital for productive agricultural yields.
The United States has a long tradition of supporting conservation on private lands through federal agricultural policies. The 2007 Farm Bill presents an opportunity to continue and strengthen that tradition, and the Conservancy is working to ensure that conservation is fairly represented in the bill's re-authorization.
Building a Global Conservation Agenda
Around the world, governments, organizations, communities and individuals are working to protect the natural areas that we care for and depend on. While many of these efforts have operated independently, a growing global conservation community is working together to identify common approaches and solutions to increase our conservation results. The Nature Conservancy is an active member of this community, supporting the development of sound global policies and participating in events and forums to help establish a common vision for conservation worldwide.
Public Finance Campaigns
Since 1986, The Nature Conservancy has worked in the United States on state and local ballot initiatives to generate more than $46 billion in public funding for land acquisition and conservation. We serve as consultants to our state programs and partners to help them win conservation funding through legislative or ballot initiatives at the state and local level. The team's expertise includes advising on strategic planning, coalition building, grassroots organizing, feasibility research, public opinion polling, message development, media strategy, fundraising, lobbying and campaign management. Even in these tough economic times, our model is a winning one. In 2008, amidst one of the worst economic declines, Nature Conservancy-supported ballot measures generated more than $6.1 billion in new public funding for conservation.
Examples:
For more information about the Conservancy's success in creating public financing for conservation, contact Carol Baudler at cbaudler@tnc.org.
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