BEAR-PAW AT WORK
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Land Conservation The mission of Bear-Paw Regional Greenways is to permanently conserve a network of lands that protects the region’s water, wildlife habitat, forests and farmland. Natural lands provide habitat for native wildlife and plants and “ecosystem” or “natural” services such as water quality protection, groundwater recharge, and flood control. They can also provide for food and other natural products as well as recreation and tourism. The region is rich in natural resources but they are at risk. Bear-Paw’s goal is to safeguard irreplaceable water resources, important wildlife habitat and travel routes, and productive forests and farms; securing a region of scenic beauty and rural character where diversity and quality of life are sustained. To accomplish this, Bear-Paw must work closely with the region’s landowners, member towns, and other conservation partners. At the current rate, the region’s population will double in less than 40 years. Development reduces, fragments, and degrades habitats that are essential for wildlife and fish; contributes to water pollution; alters natural sediment flows; and puts more people and property at risk from natural hazards. Water, in particular, is vulnerable to the cumulative impacts that are associated with development. |
Land Protection Update
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Bear-Paw's primary focus is to identify landowners interested in land protection and to assist them in accomplishing their land conservation goals through the use of reliable, voluntary techniques such as conservation easements. Bear-Paw provides impartial, technical assistance to landowners and often serves as an intermediary between landowners, town officials, and other conservation partners (conservation organizations, grant programs, etc.).
Bear-Paw works with our member towns to promote conservation planning, to identify valuable natural resource areas, to expand protected land, and to locate funding sources for land conservation projects. We also encourage member towns to provide funding for conservation projects in their municipalities through a variety of ways (land use change taxes, warrant articles, bonds, etc.)
Bear-Paw works with our member towns to promote conservation planning, to identify valuable natural resource areas, to expand protected land, and to locate funding sources for land conservation projects. We also encourage member towns to provide funding for conservation projects in their municipalities through a variety of ways (land use change taxes, warrant articles, bonds, etc.)