Building upon the foundation of innovative conservation practices, Knox-Lincoln SWCD and Waldo County SWCD in Maine introduced a Conservation Landscape Certification Program designed to empower landowners in being the best land stewards possible. This initiative aligns with the broader efforts of conservation districts in promoting best management practices and fostering sustainable landscapes. The certification program is designed to assist landowners and producers in cultivating wildlife habitats, practicing soil and water conservation, controlling invasive species, planting for ecosystem support, and implementing organic practices. 

Recognizing the significance of personal support and community building, Knox-Lincoln SWCD have pioneered a model for conservation districts to offer a comprehensive certification program. The stepwise process ensures accessibility, allowing landowners to work towards certification goals without the fear of pass or fail. The program goes beyond wildlife habitat, encouraging a holistic approach to sustainability, covering a host of best management practices. The program distills the certification process into five core criteria applicable to any property type. This simplicity ensures that the certification is both user-friendly and adaptable to various landscapes. The approach, unique in its personal support and interaction, fosters connections and community as landowners collaborate with district staff to create healthier landscapes. 

Certificates tailored for small residential properties, schools, forests, and farms cater to the diverse needs of landowners. The program recognizes the specific challenges faced by small woodland owners and offers insights into ecological forest management and environmentally sound harvest practices. Similarly, small farmers benefit from steps to farm ecologically, supporting wildlife, native plants, beneficial insects, and soil and water conservation. 

A key feature of the program is the Conservation Land Certification Woodland Owner Checklist which provides specific criteria, and thereby clear direction for forest landowners, many of whom report a lack of understanding or are unsure of where to start in their land management journey. The program is voluntary and self-guided. Landowners may also request a site visit by district staff. This places the landowner in the driver seat as they determine the appropriate pace and focus of their management goals. “Knowledge is power. There is nothing better than empowering landowners with more specific knowledge of their property. Educated and engaged landowners are better stewards of their land”, said Rebecca Jacobs, Knox-Lincoln SWCD Program Manager.  

The Conservation Landscape Certification program is appropriate for adaptation by other conservation districts and the founders of the program have made a full toolkit of resources and materials available for use which can be found here. In Maine, more districts are bringing the land certification program on board as an offering within their own communities. The Conservation Landscape Toolkit and Conservation Landscape Woodland Owner Checklist are ready made tools for districts seeking new ways to engage landowners or for those interested in expanding their programmatic offerings.   

For more information on this program and the host of other great work being led by the Knox-Lincoln SWCD, visit www.knox-lincoln.org.  

Tags: maine, Forestry Notes