GIS systems may be used to maintain maps of protected land or make decisions about which farmland to protect. A numerical system that measures the quality of farmland. It is generally used to select tracts of land to be protected or developed. LAND LINK See farm link . A private, nonprofit conservation organization formed to protect natural resources such as productive farm and forest land, natural areas, historic structures and recreational areas.
Land trusts purchase and accept donations of conservation easements.
They educate the public about the need to conserve land, and some provide land use and estate planning services to local governments and individual citizens. An ordinance or section of an ordinance or state law that requires developers of agricultural land to protect an equivalent quantity of land with similar characteristics in the same political jurisdiction. In some cases, developers may satisfy the mitigation requirement by paying a fee. Formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service, NRCS is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides leadership and administers programs to help people conserve, improve and sustain our natural resources and environment. The agency provides technical assistance to farmers and funds soil conservation and farmland protection programs.