Private lands play a central role in the well-being of people and wildlife throughout the West, yet they are under increasing economic pressure. A new, groundbreaking report sheds light on the efforts and investments landowners are making to conserve and steward remaining intact lands and natural resources.
The results are eye-opening. Collectively, private landowners invested at least $407.5 million out-of-pocket in conservation practices.
The survey, commissioned by Western Landowners Alliance (WLA) and conducted by the research firm Southwick Associates, gathered data from 649 landowners who own 500 acres or more. Based on this data, the report estimates average conservation investments across 11 western states. This spending included activities across the landscape from forestry and rangeland management to riparian restoration and wildlife reintroductions.
The report also highlights the scale of private stewardship relative to major public funding streams. Across the same 11 states in 2024, landowner investment outpaced the $342.7 million in contributions from firearm and fishing equipment taxes that are earmarked for state wildlife agencies. It also topped the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cost-share for environmental quality program (called EQIP), which spent $341 million.
“Most people don’t realize it, but private landowners are pivotal in conserving the lands and natural resources of the American West,” said Lesli Allison, CEO of Western Landowners Alliance. “Their investments generate major public benefits that extend far beyond their fencelines, from healthy soils and clean water to fish and wildlife. Understanding landowner contributions, motivations and challenges can enable us to better partner with them in conserving the lands and habitats on which both people and wildlife depend.”
In addition to out-of-pocket investments, the survey also found that landowners passed up significant economic opportunity in favor of conservation in 2024. 59% of respondents intentionally gave up income-generating opportunities to benefit conservation. Common forgone opportunities included agricultural expansion, residential or commercial development, and recreation or access-based income. While many forgone opportunities would have generated less than $50,000, one in five exceeded $1 million.
“It’s time to be honest about how much landowners give to the land every day. This stewardship is something to be celebrated and something to be proud of,” said Shaleas Harrison, policy manager for Western Landowners Alliance. “Opportunity costs are rarely counted when people consider the cost of conservation in America. This report shows that we can’t afford to overlook the daily decisions of private landowners if we want to address land conversion, habitat loss, and struggling rural communities.”
View the entire report here.
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Western Landowners Alliance – 2026
