What Makes Land Worthy of Conservation?

Many factors are evaluated to determine if land should be conserved. Some of the purposes for which land is preserved are:

• Outdoor recreation by the general public.
• The education of the general public, especially about the natural environment.
• The protection of a relatively natural habitat for fish, wildlife, plants or a similar ecosystem.
• Open space, including farmland and forest land, that yields significant public benefit either for the scenic enjoyment of the general public, or consistent with a clearly delineated federal, state, or local conservation policy.
• Preservation of historically important land or of a certified historic structure.