For some families, deciding how to manage their land is the key to securing a legacy. But it can be daunting to understand the many options that landowners have to capitalize on the land’s value. Farming, ranching, hunting, or other alternative land uses all have different pros and cons to balance against the family’s goals and visions for this season and the future. The paperwork alone can be overwhelming — and the requirements are not always easy to follow.
We spoke with leading technical advisors on conservation land programs to dispel myths surrounding these programs and share facts that can lead to successful partnerships, building value for landowners and turning land into a legacy that their family can trust.
Ducks Unlimited believes in creating true partnerships with landowners to help steward their land. In 2024, they brought one million acres under conservation in efforts that contributed to both wetlands and waterfowl protection and increasing land values and opportunities for recreation and native wildlife.
“With the vast majority of land being in the hands of producers, the farm and ranch gate is the key to conservation at scales that matter,” said Jerry Holden, Director of the Southern Region. “DU simply cannot meet the mission mandate without being authentically relevant to waterfowl and landowners alike.”
Working alongside private landowners to accomplish that task has taught Ducks Unlimited the critical importance of partnership throughout these projects. They’ve gathered many facts about their programs and encountered many myths along the way.
Myth #1 Conservation Programs are Too Difficult to Navigate
Who has the time, or the energy, needed to evaluate programs, understand the complexities or manage ever-changing program requirements? That is precisely the reason why Ducks Unlimited considers these programs partnerships between their organization and private landowners.
Their team of technical advisors stands alongside landowners throughout the process, aiding in paperwork requirements and ensuring that the program goals are met at every stage of the process.
In DU’s new Flyway Forests Reforestation Program, advisors personalize each interaction with landowners to help evaluate the land, walk through the program’s goals, and assist with the paperwork. Even when landowners are enrolled in the program, the support does not cease. Here is what landowners can expect during the enrollment process:
- Introductory phone call
- Review of landowner goals for the property
- Development of a customized site plan
- In-person consultation at the property
- Presentation by carbon experts on the Voluntary Carbon Market
- Review and signing of purchase agreements
“Our team works side by side with private landowners to discuss their goals, provide technical expertise, help navigate their options and support them every step of the process,” said Madelyn McFarland, Regional Biologist for Ducks Unlimited. “Our goal is to make conservation simple, effective and tailored to landowners’ needs.”
The Flyway Forests Reforestation Program, which is designed to restore bottomland hardwood forests in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, actually requires no labor or supplies from landowners. DU’s team of advisors and biologists take care of it all.
Myth #2 Conservation Programs Cannot Provide Real Value
In the DU Flyway Forests Reforestation Program, landowners can be eligible for $4,000 per acre of cropland or pastureland enrolled in a permanent conservation easement, with money paid out over 20 years. Landowners can be eligible for $3,443 per acre of cropland or pastureland enrolled in a 40-year term contract, with money paid out over 40 years.
But financial incentives are not the only way that landowners can see the value of their land increase by investing in programs like reforestation. Land that is part of conservation programs can reap benefits in the preservation of soil health and the restoration of native species. The landowner is compensated for their carbon capture efforts while still able to enjoy the forests for hunting and other recreational activities. Both are attributes that contribute to the long-term value of land.
For Mike Bartlett, the program provides a way to turn the page on a new chapter for some of his active cropland.
“I’m 81 years old, I’m getting tired,” Bartlett said. “I’ve been farming all my life, and I’ve been in debt all my life.”
Through the program, Bartlett was able to turn his generational land-clearing work into money he could use to buy a house closer to his grandchildren – grandchildren that now stand to inherit restored woodlands that are home to native wildlife species.
Myth #3 Conservation Programs Are Too Stringent
It can be worrisome to consider conservation programs a viable option for land. After all, contracts can limit flexibility or tie the hands of the next generation.
For Ducks Unlimited, they point to the flexibility of their Flyway Forest Reforestation Program as the answer to those concerns for landowners.
The program can accommodate existing infrastructure on lands in the program, like hunting or hiking trails. Hunting leases can remain intact. And technical advisors will even work with landowners to seed trees on their land that work with their native habitats and preferences.
Lauren Alleman, National Carbon Program Lead for Ducks Unlimited recognizes that program’s flexibility is key for many enrollees.
“We take pride in customizing a restoration plan for landowners based on their goals for the property,” Alleman said. “We recommend carving out areas for food plots, equipment access and even future building sites so that landowners can have some flexibility in the future”
Myth #4 Conservation Programs Need Large Land Areas to be Effective
Land stewardship and conservation don’t have to be an all or nothing approach.Instead, landowners can take one action or a series of actions in areas that are both large and small.
Program officials note that one benefit of their Flyway Forest Reforestation Program is that 75 acres or more of land is required, meaning that even landowners who do not want to conserve their entire land or only have limited acreage are still eligible. In some cases, the land doesn’t even need to be contiguous to be considered for the program.
Understanding eligibility is easy, too. Landowners can fill out a simple form and a DU technical advisor will meet with them to discuss options and learn about the land.
Myth #5 Conservation Programs Are Not for You
Conservation programs can be beneficial for different reasons. Whether you are an active farmer trying to make the most from every acre or you are looking to safeguard your land’s legacy for the next generation, conservation programs can be a way for you to connect your land to value, both for current and future generations.
If you are interested in the Ducks Unlimited Flyway Forest Reforestation Program to see if that program, or another DU program, could work for you, check your eligibility on their website.
