The land trust program currently protects 9,218 acres of private forest and range lands through conservation easements, land acquisition, and the application of environmentally sound management. Land and development rights acquired by the Trust are viewed as ecological drag-anchors, slowing the rate of human modification of the environment. The land trust holdings include 703 acres of fee-title and 8,515 acres of conservation easements.

The program focuses on forest and range lands that are productive, scenic, and/or environmentally significant, and whose unique characteristics are compatible with human activities at some level. For example, the Trust designs and holds conservation easements that allow forest management activities, such as sustainable timber harvesting, provided they are consistent with the conservation values the landowner wants to protect. The Trust also provides its expertise in sustainable forest management at landowners' request. In addition to acquiring land, securing easements, and providing management direction, the staff provides technical assistance to individuals, government entities, and other land trusts interested in conserving private forest lands.



Recent

Twin Willows Ranch in Mora County, New Mexico donated an easement of 817 acres. This easement protects high-elevation forests. The Forest Trust now also holds an easement for 53 acres of popular hiking trails near Little Tesuque Creek.

For more information on conservation easements or Forest Trust land trust services, contact martha@forestguild.org, or call (505) 983 8992 ext.23

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Copyright: ©1998 The Forest Trust Inc. POB 519 Santa Fe, NM 87504 PH: 505-983-8992