• More than 75% of the St. Croix watershed’s forest habitat remains unprotected and the threat of development, fragmentation and conversion to agriculture is substantial. At Wild Rivers Conservancy, we use permanent land protection as a way to protect large intact forests, sustain riparian forests, and restore and protect lands that are important to the 195 endangered, threatened and special concern species within the Minnesota-side of the watershed. 
• Landowners who protect their land typically have lifelong memories on the property and have strong ties to the wildlife, natural features, and stories of their land. Many use permanent land protection as a way to preserve their legacy, earn income, and protect the property from changes caused by development, conversion to agriculture, and habitat fragmentation.

Conservation easements are voluntary, legal agreements through which landowners limit the use and development of their property to permanently preserve its natural or cultural features for public benefit. These real estate transactions involve several steps which result in a document that will protect the conservation values of the land forever.

Fee-title acquisition is a process where landowners donate or sell their land to a land trust who will manage and restore the land until it is transferred to the county or a conservation agency (such as the DNR). Land protected through fee-title acquisition is protected as a natural area and opened for public access for the community to enjoy in perpetuity.

• Yes! Typically land protection programs will pay landowners to permanently protect their land, unless the landowner opts to donate their land or forgo payment. 
• When enrolling in a conservation easement, landowners can request a desired payment per acre protected. If that amount is approved by the partnering land trust, the land will then be appraised to determine the easement value of the property. Easement value is the difference between the value of the land without an easement and the value of the land with an easement on it. Upon finalizing the conservation easement, landowners will receive a one-time payment up to 100% of the appraised easement value. 
• When protecting your land through fee-title acquisition, landowners receive a one-time payment of up to 100% of the appraised value of the land.

• A ranking system is used by conservation agencies to decide which properties to protect. Eligibility for land protection is often determined by the following factors:
  • Size of property – typically 40 acres and up rank highest; although exceptions are possible
  • Land Cover Type – properties with intact forests, shoreline area, or healthy prairie typically score highest
  • Distance from other protected areas – properties near previously protected lands, such as a state park, WMA, SNA, or similar tend to score highest.
• Even if your property does not meet all of these criteria, please reach out to Alexis to discuss permanent land protection options available to you.

Funding for the St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection & Restoration Program was provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) to restore, protect, and enhance Minnesota’s wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.