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New Report shows how land trusts and conservancies can make a large climate impact

New Report shows how land trusts and conservancies can make a large climate impact

From the Great Plains of The United StatesTo the high-altitude wetlands EcuadorLand trusts and conservancies are implementing innovative, nature-based strategies to combat climate change. The report is available here From the Ground Up: How Land Trusts and Conservancies Are Providing Solutions for Climate Change, Lincoln Institute experts James N. LevittChandni Navalkha and Chandni Navalkha present these initiatives through a variety of case examples that demonstrate how conservation organisations can help to adapt and mitigate climate change.

Levitt, director for the Lincoln Institute’s, wrote that “such organizations are working in over 100 nations on six continents.” International Land Conservation NetworkNavalkha, the Lincoln Institute’s associate Director for sustainably managed land- and water resources, is also present. “They represent millions upon millions of citizens engaged in their work.” FinlandTo ChileTo pass on our natural heritage to future generations.”

This report examines five areas where land trusts or conservancies have addressed climate changes. There are examples of successful initiatives in each.

  • Land Protection, Restoration and Management
  • Water Supply, Stormwater Management, Buffering Against Sea Level Rise
  • Biodiversity Conservation
  • Carbon Sequestration
  • Energy Production

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), one of the many cases, uses geospatial technology to identify and locate sites. The United StatesWind turbines will not be a threat for birds or other wildlife in areas where they are not. Site Wind Right is a project that draws on more 100 sources to map wind resources, wildlife habitat and infrastructure. It identifies more than 90 million acres as suitable for wind turbines—enough land to generate wind power equal to the country’s entire electricity supply from all sources in 2018.

In South America, the capital city of Quito, Ecuador, has confronted threats to its water supply—made worse by climate change—through an ambitious land conservation program. The municipality worked with the local water provider and others to enhance water quality and supply downstream by conserving and better managing land upstream, in the high-altitude wetlands known as the Andean páramo, which surround the city. TNC has partnered with international organizations to replicate the program in at least seven other Latin American towns, generating more USD. $200 million500 private and public partners can help with conservation efforts.

Drawing on these cases and 10 others, Levitt and Navalkha synthesize lessons learned and make five recommendations for those who seek to confront climate change through land conservation: Empower civic sector initiatives that are creative and ambitious in scope and scale; invest in initiatives with clear strategies and measurable impact; aim for broad collaborations; share advanced science, technologies, and financing techniques; and think long term.

The authors conclude that “In the evolving struggle against climate change globally, all sectors need to join forces to find solutions which are sustainable, reproducible, and reliable.”

The Lincoln Institute website allows you to download the report for free: https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/policy-focus-reports/from-ground-up-land-trusts-conservancies-solutions-climate-change.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy aims to improve quality of living through the efficient taxation and stewardship of land. The Lincoln Institute, a private non-profit operating foundation, was founded in 1946. It researches and recommends creative solutions to land problems. Through education, training and publications, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice to inform public policy decision-making around the globe.

The International Land Conservation Network (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy) connects people and civic organizations across borders to help accelerate the protection and strengthening of land and other natural resources.

SOURCE Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

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