Private Conservation Efforts Expand in Australia and the United States
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Australia holds one of the world's largest acreages of private conservation land, with 24 million acres amassed through bequests. In the United States, private-public partnerships like American Prairie are expanding protected areas and public access, with a national goal to double private conservation acreage by the end of the decade.
Facts First
- Australia has amassed 24 million acres of private conservation land, largely through bequests.
- Bush Heritage Australia reported 4,600 bequests last year, nearly double the 2022 figure.
- American Prairie has completed a 22,000 acre land purchase that opened public access to Missouri Breaks.
- The Land Trust Alliance aims to double US private conservation acreage from 61 million acres by 2030.
- American Prairie recorded its seventh consecutive year of visitation growth in 2024.
What Happened
Australia has accumulated 24 million acres of private land for conservation, primarily through bequests in wills. Bush Heritage Australia reported 4,600 bequests last year, almost double the number from 2022. In the United States, the Land Trust Alliance reports 61 million acres are privately held for conservation, representing about 3% of all privately owned American land. The organization aims to double this acreage by the end of the decade. American Prairie has completed a 22,000-acre purchase that opened public access to the Missouri Breaks and now holds over 603,000 acres, with an ultimate goal to protect 2.3 million acres.
Why this Matters to You
If you value access to nature for recreation, these expanding private reserves could mean more places to visit, hike, and camp. The growth in bequests suggests a societal trend towards leaving land for public benefit, which could preserve natural areas near you for future generations. The Land Trust Alliance's goal to double conservation acreage indicates a significant expansion of protected landscapes across the United States may be underway.
What's Next
The Land Trust Alliance's goal to double private conservation acreage in the United States by the end of the decade suggests a major scaling effort is planned. American Prairie's continued land acquisition and rewilding efforts are likely to further expand public access and recreational opportunities in Montana. The sustained growth in bequests to organizations like Bush Heritage Australia could lead to more land being permanently protected under state laws.