New Conservation Bank Pays Landowners to Protect Riparian Areas

by Ben Guillon, Conservation Investment Management

Building on the success of the Table Top Conservation Bank, Conservation Investment Management (CIM) is developing a new project around Livermore. This new conservation bank pays individual landowners to protect areas along rivers and creeks where the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse lives.

Here’s how it works: CIM generates conservation credits for each acre a landowner dedicates to protection. These credits are then sold to developers needing to meet federal environmental mandates, and when credits from the property are sold, the landowner receives royalty payment.

By joining this program, landowners retain ownership and control of their land but agree to a permanent conservation easement. They can choose from a variety of restoration options and CIM takes care of everything, including getting the right permits, managing the restoration of the land, and selling the credits. There is no cost for landowners to participate.

If you own land near habitats for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse in Larimer County, you might be eligible to join. To learn more about this opportunity and how you can contribute to local conservation efforts while earning from your land, please contact Ben Guillon at ben@conservationinvestment.com.