Climate Change

At RALLY 2007, Land Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth declared that climate change presents one of the biggest problems conservationists have ever faced. Wentworth says that land trusts “are essential to solving the problem and we must act as a united conservation community.” Climate change itself, and the legislation addressing it, could dramatically change the landscape of conservation in America.

First, it is probable that land conservation has a positive effect on carbon emissions, either by reducing emissions or increasing offsetting carbon uptake (“sequestration”) by trees, other plants, and natural systems. Thus “cap and trade” legislation, currently being considered in Congress, could provide added incentives for land conservation.

Second, climate change may literally change the face of our conserved lands by shifting habitats northward and raising sea levels. Recognizing that conserved lands may be critical to the survival of wildlife in a changing climate, Congress has included substantial funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other conservation programs in legislation currently under consideration.

The Land Trust Alliance is currently studying opportunities for land trusts related to climate change. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the excellent resources on this issue collected by The Nature Conservancy.