A conservation easement, according to the Land Trust Alliance, is “a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.” The National Conservation Easement Database (NCED) is the first national database of conservation easements in the United States. Voluntary and secure, the NCED respects landowner privacy and will not collect landowner names or sensitive information. This public-private partnership brings together national conservation groups, local and regional land trusts, and state and federal agencies around a common objective. The NCED provides a comprehensive picture of the estimated 40 million acres of privately owned conservation easement lands, recognizing their contribution to America’s natural heritage, a vibrant economy, and healthy communities.Before the NCED was created no single, nationwide system existed for sharing and managing information about conservation easements. By building the first national database and web site to access this information, the NCED helps agencies, land trusts, and other organizations plan more strategically, identify opportunities for collaboration, advance public accountability, and raise the profile of what's happening on-the-ground in the name of conservation.With the initial support of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, NCED is the result of a collaboration between five environmental non-profits: The Trust for Public Land, Ducks Unlimited, Defenders of Wildlife, Conservation Biology Institute, and NatureServe.

The National Conservation Easement Database (NCED) is the first national database of conservation easement information, compiling records from land trusts and public agencies throughout the United States. This public-private partnership brings together national conservation groups, local and regional land trusts, and local, state and federal agencies around a common objective. This effort helps agencies, land trusts, and other organizations plan more strategically, identify opportunities for collaboration, advance public accountability, and raise the profile of what’s happening on-the-ground in the name of conservation.For an introductory tour of the NCED and its benefits check out the story map.

The National Conservation Lands Database contains data on the location and nature of private lands protected and/or managed for conservation purposes in Australia. This data set was created as part of a collaborative project between the data contributors and the Australian Government. The project was governed by a Steering Committee with representatives from five of the nine data contributors listed below. These acronyms are used in the remainder of the data. The program that contributed the data is described in the Completeness section of the metadata.DEC: Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation DECCW: New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change and WaterDEH: South Australia Department of Environment and Heritage - now the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Natural ResourcesDERM: Queensland Department of Environment and Resource ManagementDPIPWE: Tasmania Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and EnvironmentNCT: New South Wales Nature Conservation Trusts Covenanting program NRETAS: Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport Covenanting ProgramNTA WA: The National Trust of Australia (WA) TFN: Trust For Nature (Victoria) This 2009 (first) version of the database includes the majority of high security mechanisms operating on private land in Australia, where conservation is the sole or key objective. The data set contains all agreements from the inception of the program through which they were delivered to (and including) those established on the 30 June 2009. The department intends to annually update the database.The database contains:- an NCLD_DESC table - that contains descriptions of each agreement- an NCLD_POLY feature class - that contains all the agreement polygons- a NCLD_LABEL layer - that contains one point for each agreement that fits within an agreement polygon- a NCLD_OVERLAP_POLY feature class -that contains all agreement polygons that overlapped higher level agreement polygons. This is explained below.The polygons in this data set represent the land subject to private land conservation agreements. Each agreement is uniquely identified by AGREMT_ID. There are two polygon layers associated with the database. The principle layer is called the NCLD_POLY feature class and contains polygons of the location of the agreements. Where there are overlapping agreements, the most secure agreement is represented in the polygon layer and those agreements that were of lower security and overlapped, have been removed from the agreement polygon layer and stored in the NCLD_OVERLAP_POLY feature class. The NCLD_POLY feature class and the NCLD_OVERLAP_POLY feature class attribute table that the AGREMT_ID and few other fields. The descriptive details of each agreement are stored in the NCLD_DESC table including the GIS_AREA for the convenience of calculating statistics. This text table can be linked to the polygon layers for GIS analysis. The attributes of the NCLD_DESC table are described in the Attribute Accuracy section of this metadata. Many of the attributes are the same as those used in the Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database .In order to facilitate topology checking and analysis the NCLD_POLY feature class does not contain overlapping polygons. Overlapping agreements do occur in practice, where there is more than one agreement legally still in place at a time. To capture this information the polygon data has been processed to represent the highest security agreement at any one location in the agreements polygon layer. Agreements that are completely displaced by a higher security agreement have the value in the OVERLAP field in the text table, a GIS_AREA of 0 (zero) and the entire polygon represented only in the NCLD_OVERLAP_POLY feature class. Agreements that are only partially displaced have the displaced portion of the polygon(s) in the NCLD_OVERLAP_POLY feature class. In the agreements text table the partially displaced agreements will have the reduced value in the OVERLAP field and a GIS_AREA is the area of the remaining polygon in the NCLD_POLY feature class.All the overlaps in this version of the database occurred within the DECCW agreements. A hierarchy of highest to lower level agreements was decided in collaboration with DECCW. TYPE = Conservation Agreements were agreed to have the highest protection value, being in perpetuity, registered on title and as the agreement contains a broader range of conservation measures. TYPE = Registered property agreements were ranked the middle security level as these were registered on title and the agreements had more restricted conservation scope. The lowest level agreements were considered to be TYPE = Wildlife Refuge, as these were not registered on title and of an indefinite term and contained the lowest level of restrictions on activities and conservation measures that had to be adopted as part of the agreement compared to the other two types.The way that agreements were mapped differed between authorities and agreement types. Some types only mapped the high conservation value portion of a land parcel whereas others mapped the entire title or property or nearly the whole title and subdivided into zones with one a conservation or protected zone. For example a WA Department of Environment and Conservation Covenant does not have any zones and only covers the conservation or protected area. In contrast, a Trust for Nature Victoria Conservation Covenant is subdivided into three zones; Modified Land, Domestic Area and Protected Area.Programs that map only the high conservation value portion of a land parcel are those that have AUTHORITY of DEC, NCT, DEH, DPIPWE (most agreements) and DECCW (where TYPE is Conservation Agreement or Registered Property Agreement). In the case of AUTHORITY = NTA WA AND TYPE = National Trust Covenants the entire property is mapped and subdivided into farmland and bushland zones. In the case AUTHORITY = DECCW AND TYPE = Wildlife Refuge , the whole title was mapped (the high conservation value area is delineated on a map filed with the agreement -but not mapped in their spatial database). DERM and VIC TFN map either the entire property or part of the property and use zones to differentiate between the conservation area and areas where less restricted activity can take place. Examples of DERM Nature Refuge zone types are conservation, domestic, infrastructure, agriculture, restoration. A few DPIPWE Conservation Covenants contain zones. This data set only maps the area of the whole agreement, and does not delineate zones. Therefore although the area of the conservation part of the agreement could be the same between a DEC agreement and a NTA WA agreement, the GIS_AREA will be higher for the NTA WA agreement that also includes farmland. GIS_AREA will be higher for programs that map a larger area in addition to the high conservation value area.NOTE: This item refers to a dataset with restricted access. The related metadata is available for download as a Word document as necessary. Additional information about this dataset or requests for access to the data should be directed to geospatial@dcceew.gov.au

Please visit the User Guide to learn about using the Conservation Opportunities Modeler.

CA Nature supports the California Natural Resources Agency’s goals for equitable access for all, the conservation of the state’s biodiversity, and expanding the use of nature-based solutions to address climate change.

The Conservation Opportunities Modeler uses a technique called a Weighted Raster Overlay (WRO) to evaluate multiple factors simultaneously. You can select layers from almost 50 layers in library, assign a weight to each selected layer, and then a scores to the available variables. These are then combined to show the range of combined values across the landscape, whether high or low based on your assigned weights.

Data libraries are available to explore opportunities for access for all, biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as opportunities that integrate across multiple challenges. After your model is complete, run it online and explore the results through interactive summaries and comparison against data from CA Nature or other sources.

Use the Conservation Opportunities Modeler to explore opportunities through building your own scenarios.

The Conservation Practice Effectiveness Database compiles information on the effectiveness of a suite of conservation practices. This database presents a compilation of data on the effectiveness of innovative practices developed to treat contaminants in surface runoff and tile drainage water from agricultural landscapes. Traditional conservation practices such as no-tillage and conservation crop rotation are included in the database, as well as novel practices such as drainage water management, blind inlets, and denitrification bioreactors. This will be particularly useful to conservation planners seeking new approaches to water quality problems associated with dissolved constituents, such as nitrate or soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and for researchers seeking to understand the circumstances in which such practices are most effective. Another novel feature of the database is the presentation of information on how individual conservation practices impact multiple water quality concerns. This information will be critical to enabling conservationists and policy makers to avoid (or at least be aware of) undesirable tradeoffs, whereby great efforts are made to improve water quality related to one resource concern (e.g., sediment) but exacerbate problems related to other concerns (e.g., nitrate or SRP). Finally, we note that the Conservation Practice Effectiveness Database can serve as a source of the soft data needed to calibrate simulation models assessing the potential water quality tradeoffs of conservation practices, including those that are still being developed. This database is updated and refined annually. Resources in this dataset:Resource Title: 2019 Conservation Practice Effectiveness (CoPE) Database. File Name: Conservation_Practice_Effectiveness_2019.xlsxResource Description: This version of the database was published in 2019.

Conservation Lands spatial and attribute data. This includes related information on various types/classes of land secured for fish, wildlife and habitat conservation purposes. It includes Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) designated by Order in Council (OIC). Source data are from Tantalis as well as the derived product from GeoBC. Overlap between this dataset and the NGO Conservation Areas - Fee Simple dataset will occur where NGO lands have been leased to the province. Discrepancies between the provincial layers and this dataset are due to differing source cadastral information. A Conservation Cross Reference Table provides a link between this dataset and the NGO Conservation Areas – Fee Simple dataset. The CIP_PCL field in the NGO Conservation Areas dataset links to the Conservation_Land_ID field in the provincial Conservation Lands dataset.

A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is the land designated under Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora. Data supplied has the status of "Candidate". The data does not include "Possible" Sites. Boundaries are mapped against Ordnance Survey MasterMap.Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.

This hosted feature layer has been published in RI State Plane Feet NAD 83. Approximate edges of Conservation Lands protected by the State of Rhode Island through Fee Title Ownership, Conservation Easement, or Deed Restriction. Includes: Wildlife Management Areas, Drinking Water Supply Watersheds, State Parks, Beaches, Bike Paths, Fishing Access Areas, Local Parks and Recreation Facilities that have been developed with State Grant Funds.

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are those which have been given greater protection under The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1995 (Northern Ireland) (as amended). They have been designated because of a possible threat to the special habitats or species which they contain and to provide increased protection to a variety of animals, plants, and habitats of importance to biodiversity both on a national and international scale. All of the SAC sites chosen under The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended) are collectively known as the UK national site network which is a network of protected areas across the EU, which forms part of a wider international Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest. The sites are chosen according to scientific criteria to ensure favourable conservation status of each habitat type and species. ‘Favourable conservation status’ means managing the site to ensure the special habitats and species are healthy.

Conservation / Conservation

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a conservation NGO working globallly and in PNG

Global Environment, Conservation And Wildlife Organizations market size is expected to reach $41.45 billion by 2029 at 7.2%, concern over species extinction drives growth in the environment, conservation, and wildlife organizations market

This hosted feature layer has been published in RI State Plane Feet NAD 83. Non-State Conservation lands are real property permanently protected from future development by fee simple ownership, conservation or other restrictive easements, or deed restrictions held or enforceable by recognized land protection organizations other than the State of Rhode Island. These include, but are not limited to, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, The Nature Conservancy, RI municipal governments, The United States Fish & Wildlife Service, private land trusts and other conservation groups. In addition to permanent legally conserved land, a number of properties documented in this dataset are included in a category called "Conservation Intent." This designation applies to areas such as local parks, recreation areas, or lands associated with cluster sub-division developments that are not strictly protected by a fee simple or easement interest held by a recognized conservation organization. Instead they are considered protected by the good-will of the owners (both municipal and private) to prevent or restrict future development beyond the existing use.

Polygon geometry with attributes displaying conservation areas as defined by the comprehensive plan, FUTUREBR, in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.

Problem Statement

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Conservation organizations faced challenges in monitoring and analyzing environmental parameters across vast and remote areas. Traditional methods were time-consuming, resource-intensive, and provided limited real-time data. These limitations hindered proactive decision-making for conservation and sustainability initiatives. The organization sought an intelligent solution to monitor environmental changes, identify threats, and support sustainability goals.

Challenge

Developing an environmental monitoring system required addressing the following challenges:

Collecting and processing diverse environmental data, including air quality, water levels, temperature, and biodiversity, in real time.

Deploying sensors and systems in remote and harsh environments while ensuring reliability.

Analyzing large datasets to detect patterns and trends that inform conservation actions.

Solution Provided

An advanced environmental monitoring system was developed using AI-driven data analytics, IoT sensors, and machine learning models. The solution was designed to:

Continuously monitor key environmental parameters using IoT-enabled sensors deployed in target areas.

Analyze data to identify trends, detect anomalies, and predict potential threats.

Provide real-time dashboards and reports to conservationists for proactive decision-making.

Development Steps

Data Collection

Installed IoT sensors to capture environmental parameters, including air and water quality, soil moisture, temperature, and wildlife activity.

Preprocessing

Standardized and cleaned data to ensure accuracy and compatibility for machine learning analysis.

Model Development

Built machine learning models to identify environmental trends and detect anomalies. Developed predictive analytics algorithms to forecast potential environmental risks, such as droughts or pollution events.

Validation

Tested the system on historical environmental data and real-time inputs to ensure accuracy and reliability in diverse scenarios.

Deployment

Deployed the system in key conservation areas, integrating it with cloud platforms for real-time data access and remote monitoring.

Continuous Monitoring & Improvement

Established a feedback loop to refine models based on ongoing data collection and conservation feedback.

Results

Enhanced Environmental Data Accuracy

IoT-enabled sensors provided accurate, real-time data, improving the reliability of environmental monitoring efforts.

Proactive Conservation Measures

Predictive analytics enabled early detection of threats such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat degradation, supporting timely interventions.

Promoted Sustainability Initiatives

The system provided actionable insights that guided sustainability programs and resource management efforts.

Improved Decision-Making

Conservationists used real-time dashboards and analytics to make data-driven decisions, optimizing the allocation of resources.

Scalable and Robust Solution

The system scaled seamlessly to cover additional monitoring areas and adapted to new environmental metrics as needed.

Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) complement protected areas through sustained, positive conservation outcomes, even though they may be managed primarily for other reasons. Version: June 2025.

This dataset contains information regarding the acreages of land currently (as of 2004) enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) distributed by county and the year the CRP contract was initiated (1987-2004, excluding 1994 and 1995). Additionally, it contains total acreages of land enrolled in the CRP distributed by county and the contract year (1987-2003). USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Acreage enrolled in the CRP is planted to resource-conserving vegetative covers, making the program a major contributor to increased wildlife populations in m ...