Eligibility: This program is entirely voluntary. Eligible properties include those with working forest and rangelands, where the property is managed for the production of forest products and traditional forest uses are maintained. Landowners who wish to participate may sell or transfer particular rights, such as the right to develop the property or to allow public access, while retaining ownership of the property and the right to use it in any way consistent with the terms of the easement and management plan. Project Selection: Priority is given to lands that can be effectively protected and managed and that have important scenic, recreational, timber, riparian, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, and other cultural and environmental values. CAL FIRE regularly partners with other funding agencies to select high value landscapes for conservation easement projects. All projects are evaluated on six scoring criteria: Importance – Does the land provide important economic, habitat, watershed, water supply, recreational, scenic, historical/cultural benefits? Strategic Value – How does the property relate strategically to other properties adjacent or in close proximity to it? Threat – How is the property threatened by development or conversion to other uses? Readiness – To what degree has due diligence been completed? Active Forest Management/Public Access – Is the property actively managed and will the project include public access? Donated Matching Funds – Does the project include a donation or match funding?
