Let's break it Down
Who Supports it?
Countless private & public agencies provide physical & financial support to landowners & land managers.
We began our mission by contacting our local USDA office and with the help of our local Forestry Department, established a comprehensive Forest Management Plan. A biologist from FWC, Florida's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commision, surveyed the preserve and let us know exactly what this forest needed.
Then, with assistance from the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service, we were introduced to a number of different assistance programs. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP fits our needs best. All of this assistance was provided at no cost to us.
Who Does the Work?
Landowners & Land Managers are responsible for getting the dirty work done. Programs will support conservation financially. But you, as the landowner or land manger, must be willing to do the work.
At this point in my journey, I had the honor of participating in the Natural Resource Managment Internship with a private organization ACT, the Alachua Conservation Trust. During this comprehensive internship, I was taught land management activities including invasive species management, preserve management, trail work, prescribed burning, forest thinning, surveying/monitoring, grant writing, & land easements. I was also able to build a network of natural resource professionals to asset in my future efforts. All of this education & assistance was provided at no cost to me.
What does it Cost?
Nothings for free, right. There are costs associated with conservation. But amazingly, those programs that I told you about earlier, reimburse a large percentage of the money invested by Landowners & land managers.
Like I said before, if you're willing to do the work, they are willing to reimburse you for your time and efforts.
If you know how to apply for grants (I was taught by ACT), you can get funding up front for your conservation & outreach efforts. There are so many grants available for conservation. There are a lot of organizations who want to see our lands protected, they want to help, you just have to do a little searching to find the grants that meet your objectives.
Who Benefits From It?
LOL, who doesn't it benefit would be the shorter list to write. The best way I can put it is that the future of our planet, and everything living on it benefits from conservation. We are making a promise to our planet, to Nature itself, to protect it and everything that relies on it. I will benefit, you will benefit, our children and grandchildren will benefit from conservation. All the plants and animals, our air, our waters, and the land we live on will benefit from conservation.
As our population continues to increase, our wildlands continue to decrease. The forest that I grew up in is gone now, ripped up & covered with urban development. Conservation, especially by landowners, can help save our wildlands for our future generations.
an active commitment to nature
Conservation is an Ongoing and Active Process!
There are few things in this world that last forever. Popularity fades and trends die out, but Nature withstands the test of time. Our commitment to the preserve, and the work we do to protect it, will not fade after the initial projects are complete. Nor will it die out as the years go by. Every day we will do our part to ensure the wellbeing of this land. We will face all challenges head on and continue to do our best as land stewards. We have made a promise to Nature to apply the best management practices available for as long as we are able and legacy planning will ensure that these practices will continue for generations to come.