Land Protection

One important piece of The Prairie Enthusiasts’s mission is to protect land with remnant prairies and savannas. The strongest protection is for a land trust organization such as The Prairie Enthusiasts to own title to the land. Another means of protection is for a conservation organization to hold a legal easement on the land. In addition, we may assist landowners of remnant prairies and savannas with the management and recovery of those sites. The Prairie Enthusiasts is an Accredited Land Trust.

 

Mounds View Grassland by Empire-Sauk member, RS Baller.

Land Protection

Mounds View Grassland by Empire-Sauk member, RS Baller. 

One important piece of The Prairie Enthusiasts’s mission is to protect land with remnant prairies and savannas. The strongest protection is for a land trust organization such as The Prairie Enthusiasts to own title to the land. Another means of protection is for a conservation organization to hold a legal easement on the land. In addition, we may assist landowners of remnant prairies and savannas with the management and recovery of those sites. The Prairie Enthusiasts is an Accredited Land Trust.

PROTECT YOUR LAND

One of the most important ways that The Prairie Enthusiasts fulfills its mission is by working with landowners to protect their land in perpetuity.

There are many ways this can be accomplished.

  • The Prairie Enthusiasts may purchase the land or accept a donation of land.
  • Establish a conservation easement. This defines use restrictions to maintain the conservation values of the land.  The restrictions are attached to the title, while the landowner still owns the property.
  • Set options through estate planning, such as designating The Prairie Enthusiasts in your will or trust, or setting up a life estate that gifts your property while you still use it for the remainder of your lifetime.

The best way to get started is to contact Debra Behrens, Executive Director, at executivedirector@theprairieenthusiasts.org. We can discuss what your interests are, and begin to find the best conservation option for you, your family, and the land. 


MANAGING PROTECTED LANDS

Many land trusts own land, and for those that do, it is essential to ensure the conservation values of these lands are managed in perpetuity. The Alliance’s Land Trust Standards and Practices outlines the core elements of having management plans, determining the stewardship needs, tracking the costs of management, and monitoring of management plans. Having these essential elements in place enables the land trust to support vibrant site communities of staff, volunteers, and engaged public participation with the management of the sites.  View our Education Page to find more information including presentations, costs, suggestions and handouts from various proposals The Prairie Enthusiasts has worked on.


Explore all The Prairie Enthusiasts owned sites

Learn about Protection Options

Learn about how The Prairie Enthusiasts manages our protected lands

Information on hunting on The Prairie Enthusiasts preserves