Local Land Conservation Is More Important than Ever

By Nicole Adimey | Atira Conservation Founder

When Brett and I were winding down our full-time careers and envisioning the next chapter of our lives, we knew we wanted to do something worthwhile to provide communities with benefits that would survive well beyond us. Given Brett’s background in real estate management and investment and my background in habitat restoration and endangered species conservation, we decided to focus on land protection. We felt that the best way to protect species was to save the places they depend on for survival, which would also provide opportunities for people to be in nature.

At the time, we had no idea of the threats that conservation efforts nationwide would face in 2025 due to sweeping federal policy shifts.

While it would be easy to get lost in the current uncertainties surrounding our nation’s protected places, we’re instead doubling down on our commitment to supporting local efforts in local communities.

This year, we’ve supported three land protection transactions (conservation easements and fee-simple purchases) in Montana, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, with another five in process in Wyoming, North Carolina and Montana.  Ultimately, our goal this year is to protect at least 5,000 acres of ecologically rich lands to shelter rare plants and animals, protect unique habitats, support wildlife corridors and provide more outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.

While our financial contributions through Atira Conservation are typically a small percentage of the total cost for each transaction, we are still playing a vital role by helping local land trust organizations reach the finish line on projects that will protect special places in perpetuity. 

I’m sure you’ve probably heard the phrase “think globally, act locally.” You may have heard it so many times, you roll your eyes at it! Though it may be cliché, we think it still holds true. That’s why we continue to partner with local land trusts, conservation groups, private landowners and communities to ensure that land will continue to be protected, despite changes in the political climate. We remain committed to conserving lands that matter and encourage you to join our efforts .

• If you’d like to work with a local land trust in your community, the Land Trust Alliance is a great resource where you can search for land conservation groups in your own backyard just by typing in your Zip code.
• You can also partner with Brett and me through a donation to Atira Conservation and have the confidence that 100% of your donation will directly support land protection across the U.S. (You can read more about how we choose partners and lands to protect here and here.)

The lands we all work to protect today will provide enduring environmental benefits for decades to come. Importantly, many of the lands we help protect also provide public access to nature — something we could all probably use more of these days!