Landowner Solutions
How it works
Typically, landowners are fully compensated once the conservation easement has been recorded. But you may choose to take compensation in increments, depending on your situation. We’ll work with you to find the solution that best meets your needs.Â
Preliminary site evaluation
We meet with you to evaluate your land for mitigation potential and explain the land conservation process.
Conceptualization
Following our site evaluation, our team will develop a conceptual restoration plan. We will discuss the conceptual plan with you and explain the ecological benefits your property will experience.
Agreement
After estimating your site’s mitigation potential, we’ll present a legal option agreement and conservation easement deed for review.
Project design
This is where we’ll survey, plan, and design the restoration project to meet your land management and ecological needs.
Compensation
We’ll record the conservation easement and compensate you. Typically, landowners are fully compensted following recordation of the conservation easement.
Construction
Upon receiving our regulatory approval, we begin site construction. Construction may include wetland, stream, and upland rehabilition and/or re-establishment.
Monitoring and maintenance
Once construction is completed, our last step is restoration monitoring until regulatory sign-off of the site. Depending on locale, monitoring typically lasts for a period of 5 to 10 years.
Longterm stewarding
Following regulatory sign-off, the conservation area will be maintained and monitored, in perpetuity, by an approved and pre-negotiated longterm steward.
Our Results
Benefits of land conservation
At WLS, landowners are the critical stakeholder and a crucial component to successful ecological restoration. Without landowner participation, the mitigation industry would not flourish. As landowners ourselves, we understand your land is an important asset and often the foundation of your family history. We want to understand your long-term vision. We’ll work with you respectfully to increase your property value and protect your asset.
As we work together, you’ll be able to see firsthand the financial and ecological rewards that restoration and conservation create. Not only does restoration improve species diversity, water quality, and reduce flooding frequency, but it also turns potentially unproductive areas of your property into income generators. Furthermore, land restoration and conservation mean additional and improved recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.
Ultimately, our goal is to provide a way for you to improve your property, generate income, and give back to the land that has been your family livelihood for so long.
We’re headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, with offices in South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.
Client Testimonials
WLS has responded to, and been selected for, multiple private bank contracts with NCDOT across the state through a competitive bid process. They have delivered stream and wetland bank credits that will be used for compensatory mitigation for NCDOT roadway projects over the next several years.
Knowing WLS understands the ever-evolving regulations and the technical site conditions makes a huge difference in our interest level of working with the team at WLS. As new relationships need fostering in land owners, developers, homeowner associations and local municipalities, it’s even more important to us that who we partner with can meander the mine fields of the process delicately and diligently.
Unique Places to Save is a conservation non-profit that works with mitigation company partners, landowners and regulators to hold perpetual conservation easements over stream, wetland and species mitigation projects. We have worked with WLS on numerous mitigation banks in North Carolina. We enjoy working with WLS due to their superior level of professionalism and high standards of quality work on all their projects. WLS not only understands the science and economics of mitigation work, but also understands the needs and concerns of landowners, partners and local communities when conducting their mitigation practice.
Working with Water and Land Solutions has been a great way to help improve aquatic habitat on our properties while stabilizing the streambanks and creating an overall better ecosystem and a multitude educational opportunities for visitors. The diversity and complexity built into the enhancements designed by Water and Land Solutions and their staff are only surpassed by the sustainability of the final stream system once it has been restored.
I met Nate in 2010 while working on the Crabapple stream and wetland mitigation project. We have worked together on several successful projects throughout the Appalachian Region since then. If I had to choose one word to best describe Nate, it’s trustworthy. I trust him as a friend, a colleague, and a stream designer, and would recommend him to anyone.
North State Environmental had the opportunity to work with WLS on two great projects in 2020 that had tight timelines, as many mitigation projects do. Our staff worked closely together to expedite construction, ensuring that both were completed in time to be planted during the dormant season. Even though the weather and field adjustments attempted to slow down the construction, the NSE crews and WLS staff worked to overcome these issues and build successful projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my property qualify for a conservation easement?
The best way to determine whether your property qualifies for a conservation easement is for a WLS team member to come to your property and conduct an initial evaluation. There are many factors we evaluate for property suitability, but the following parameters include the key components that contribute to ideal areas for conservation easements:
- Historically manipulated, straightened, eroded, or channelized streams.
- Areas where wetlands were drained or manipulated for agricultural purposes and/or stream and wetland buffer vegetation was removed.
- Property is located near natural habitats as state forests and wildlife refuges.
- Properties include, or are adjacent to, water-quality impaired streams as identified in Section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act.
- Property is located within areas identified as essential habitat for endangered or threatened species.
Am I compensated for the use of my property?
At WLS, our business model is built on compensating landowners fairly and treating them with respect. We compensate landowners for the conservation easement based on the value of the land as a mitigation site (not raw land). We can also provide in-kind farm improvements such as fencing, stream crossings, wells, waterers, and farm roads. Furthermore, we structure payments and/or revenue shares to suit the needs of each landowner.
What is a conservation easement? Does an easement prohibit activities on my property?
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and qualified holder that permanently limits use of the land to protect conservation values.
While an easement comes with certain prohibitions (like future development, mowing, and livestock use), the property can still be used for passive recreation. Conservation easements provide substantial ecological benefits that help to improve property values by creating high quality habitat for game hunting and improved water quality for fishing and swimming. Typically, easements along stream and wetland corridors are linear and occupy a small percentage of your overall parcel.
Will WLS and government agents have unlimited access to my property?
It is true that government agents and WLS team members need periodic access to your property, but all visits are pre-coordinated and approved. Additionally, we only access your property from pre-negotiated and designated access points.
