School of Professional Studies
Date of Award
4-2024
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Department
School of Professional Studies
Chief Instructor
Kerry Morris, MPA, Adjunct Professor
Keywords
private land conservation, wildlife conservation, working lands, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, federal conservation programs
Abstract
This case study examines the role, impact, and future of voluntary private land conservation (VPLC) programs, with a particular focus on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) initiative. Climate change and population growth pose a significant threat to public land conservation, making alternative methods like WLFW increasingly important. WLFW is a relatively successful and well-received program, but it is still young and comparatively smaller than other VPLC programs operated by the government. Publications by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WLFW partner organizations, and relevant scholarly articles were utilized in order to assess WLFW’s success independently and in comparison with other federal VPLC programs. With additional funding and new strategies for enrolling participants, WLFW may be able to increase its capacity and become a flagship VPLC program. If this initial expansion is successful enough, WLFW leadership may consider further expanding the program to also enroll non-agricultural privately owned land, primarily recreational land used for hunting, fishing, or wildlife watching.
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Abigail, "Climate Change and Voluntary Private Land Conservation: A Case Study of Working Lands for Wildlife" (2024). School of Professional Studies. 26.
https://commons.clarku.edu/graduate_school_professional_studies/26
Worcester
No