Conservancy: The Land Trust Movement in America

By Richard Brewer

Book Overview

Land trusts, or conservancies, protect land by owning it. Although many people are aware of a few large land trusts--The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land, for instance--there are now close to 1,300 local trusts, with more coming into being each month. American land trusts are diverse, shaped by their missions and adapted to their local environments. Nonetheless, all land trusts are private, non-profit organizations for which the acquisition and protection of land by direct action is the primary or sole mission. Nonconfrontational and apolitical, land trusts work with willing land owners in voluntary transactions. Although land trusts are the fastest-growing and most vital part of the land conservation movement today, this model of saving land by private action has become dominant only in the past two decades. Brewer tells why the advocacy model--in which private groups try to protect land by promoting government purchase or regulation-- in the 1980s was eclipsed by the burgeoning land trust movement. He gives the public a much-needed primer on what land trusts are, what they do, how they are related to one another and to other elements of the conservation and environmental movements, and their importance to conservation in the coming decades. As Brewer points out, unlike other land-saving measures, land trust accomplishments are permanent. At the end of a cooperative process between a landowner and the local land trust, the land is saved in perpetuity. Brewer's book, the first comprehensive treatment of land trusts, combines a historical overview of the movement with more specific information on the different kinds of land trusts that exist and the problems they face. The volume also offers a how-to approach for persons and institutions interested in donating, selling, or buying land, discusses four major national land trusts (The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, American Farmland Trust, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy); and gives a generous sampling of information about the activities and accomplishments of smaller, local trusts nationwide. Throughout, the book is enriched by historical narrative, analysis of successful land trusts, and information on the how and why of protecting land, as well as Brewer's intimate knowledge of ecological systems, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of human and non-human life forms. Conservancy is a must-read volume for people interested in land conservation--including land trust members, volunteers and supporters--as well as anyone concerned about land use and the environment.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584654481
• ISBN13: 9781584654483
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: University Press of New England
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Detailed overview of the land trust movement

Land trusts are held by private organizations to preserve lands, whether as open spaces, key habitats, farmlands, or some other purposes. These trusts have rapidly increased in number over the past few decades, and provide an alternative to publicly held lands such as state or national parks. In this book, Richard Brewer tells the story of these trusts. He provides extensive documentation of the land trust movement and its growth. He's weaker on the explanatory story - - why, exactly, have land trusts become so popular? Both this strength and weakness reflect his own interest, as an ecologist and an activist, not a social scientist. He's more interested in doing land trusts than in explaining them. In fact, much of the book is a how-to and why-to book, an argument about why trusts are important and a guide to forming your own land trust. Some questions he addresses include: if you're thinking of preserving your own land, would you want to donate it to an organization or create conservation easements? If you're thinking of creating a local land trust, what kinds of lands might you want to preserve? By putting such practical questions within a larger history of the movement he grounds them very effectively. The book also includes case studies of a large diversity of trusts, with short sections on a range of local trusts and a couple chapters on larger organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Lands, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. If you are interested in land trusts, especially if you'd like to start one or manage one, this is your book.

Leading book in its field

Brewer's book has been invaluable to me as a new land trust board member, providing the essential history of the field as well as exploring all facets of what land trusts do. I found it so useful I gave copies to our board and staff. Very well written with just the faintest hint of wit. A keeper, as they say.

Excellent introduction to the land trust movement

This book is a great overview of the land trust movement. It covers everything from the history of land trusts to the tools land trusts use. There are also brief chapters on some of the larger organizations such as the Land Trust Alliance, the Nature Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Lands. Those who have been in the field for a while may not find this book extremely useful but it is exactly what I would recommend to anyone new to land trusts.

Truly helpful!

I devoured this book just before a job interview with a land trust and referenced it often in my presentation to the hiring committee. The book was amazingly user-friendly. I had a good understanding of ecosystems and conservation but had not been introduced to land trusts. Brewer gave me the context for the local organization and helped me understand the value proposition of tools like conservation easements. I did get that job and still use this book often. I intend to buy one for every new volunteer board member so that they can truly understand what our mission is and how to sell it to those who don't yet get it.

Great overview

I found this book to be an excellent resource for those interested in Land Trusts and what they do. I am presently employed by one of the Land Trusts mentioned in this book and I think that Mr. Brewer is very fair and honest in his descriptions.