Conservation Bank Development and Management
A conservation bank is an incentive based program that offers landowners financial incentives by allowing them to sell conservation “credits” from their qualifying land to developers as compensation for habitat destruction caused by their development projects. In exchange, land that belongs to the bank is permanently protected and managed for the focal species or habitat the bank was designed for. Creating a conservation bank on private lands provides a unique revenue opportunity for landowners through the sale of species or habitat credits. Participants can potentially reduce their taxes and preserve large tracts of their land while simultaneously generating revenue. Private, Tribal, State and local government lands are eligible to become conservation banks.The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) conservation banking fact sheet is available for download, as is the complete US Fish and Wildlife Service Conservation Banking Guidance. Zara has been involved in the development of the Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation Conservation Bank, which was approved by USFWS on November 17, 2010, the Bandera Corridor Conservation Bank (BCCB), which is in progress, and the Pedernales Falls Land Exchange.