Conservation tools play an important role in protecting private land, but who benefits from them? Economist and University of Wisconsin professor Dominic “Nick” Parker joins the show to explore conservation easements, transferable tax credits, and new opportunities to keep working lands in the hands of the people who live and work on them. From leveling the playing field for ranchers to addressing misconceptions around easements, this conversation takes an optimistic look at the future of private land conservation.
Topics
[0:00] Introduction: Nick Parker’s background in economics and conservation
[3:17] What is a conservation easement?
[7:07] Who benefits most from traditional conservation incentives?
[12:06] Which states offer transferable conservation credits?
[21:28] How incentives can support working ranches and farms
[28:00] Misconceptions, bad actors, and safeguards
[33:21] What's next for private land conservation?
Links
Parker, Dominic and Helm, Annalise and Shost, Garrett, Trading Green: Do Tax Credit Markets Improve Land Conservation? (February 24, 2026). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=6302660 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6302660
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