Factors influencing property selection for conservation revolving funds |
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| Authors: | Mathew J Hardy James A Fitzsimons Sarah A Bekessy Ascelin Gordon |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia;2. ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia;3. The Nature Conservancy, Carlton South, VIC 3053, Australia;4. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Finding sustainable ways to increase the amount of private land protected for biodiversity is challenging for many conservation organizations. In some countries, organizations use revolving‐fund programs, whereby land is purchased and then sold to conservation‐minded owners under condition they enter into a conservation covenant or easement. The sale proceeds are used to purchase, protect, and sell additional properties, incrementally increasing the amount of protected private land. Because the effectiveness of this approach relies on selecting appropriate properties, we explored factors currently considered by practitioners and how these are integrated into decision making. We conducted exploratory, semistructured interviews with managers from each of the 5 major revolving funds in Australia. Responses indicated although conservation factors are important, financial and social factors are also highly influential. A major determinant was whether the property could be resold within a reasonable period at a price that replenishes the fund. To facilitate resale, often selected properties include the potential for the construction of a dwelling. Practitioners face with clear trade‐offs between conservation, financial, amenity, and other factors in selecting properties and 3 main challenges: recovering the costs of acquisition, protection, and resale; reselling the property; and meeting conservation goals. Our findings suggest the complexity of these decisions may constrain revolving‐fund effectiveness. Drawing from participant responses, we identified potential strategies to mitigate these risks, such as providing adequate recreational space without jeopardizing ecological assets. We suggest managers could benefit from a shared‐learning and adaptive approach to property selection given the commonalities between programs. Understanding how practitioners deal with complex decisions in the implementation of revolving funds helps identify future research to improve the performance of this conservation tool. |
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| Keywords: | conservation acquisition conservation planning conservation buyer purchase-protect-resale covenant easement private land conservation Privately Protected Areas adquisició n á reas protegidas privadas contrato comprador de la conservació n propiedad privada usufructo 环 保 买 家 公 约 地 役 权 购 置 私 有 土 地 私 有 保 护 地 |
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