12/9

Conservation Easements and World Soil Day

Last week, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we observed World Soil Day. Since the United Nations designated December 5 World Soil Day in 2013, the date has served as a reminder of the importance of healthy soil as a base for a healthy environment. The date also highlights threats to soil health around the world, including pollution and erosion.

Here at Partnership for Conservation, we realize that healthy soil is a vital part of a healthy ecosystem. That’s why we’re constantly working to promote conservation partnerships that help protect soil from the harmful pollution and erosion associated with development.

The United Nations recently reported that approximately one soccer field of land is lost every five seconds as a result of soil erosion. Through the use of conservation easements, our nation’s most precious lands are protected forever.

Hundreds of thousands of acres of land have been protected thus far by conservation easements and limiting this conservation practice would leave our nation’s soil vulnerable to pollution.

In the wake of World Soil Day, let’s use every conservation tool available to us, including conservation easements, to protect the foundation of our nation’s ecosystems and preserve America’s wildlife for future generations.