Conservation easement adoption among forest landowners in the United States

Conservation easements have become a prevalent method for conserving forestland in the United States in the face of housing and other development. In this study, we used data from the National Woodland Owner Survey conducted by the USDA Forest Service in 2017–2018 to examine patterns and determinants of conservation easement adoption on individual forestland parcels. A total of 9349 landowners are included in the analysis, covering all 50 states. We used a spatial binary probit model to consider potential spatial dependence in conservation decisions among adjacent landowners. Our results reveal that significant spatial dependence exists, suggesting that about 30 % of the total effect of an explanatory variable on easement adoption comes from an indirect spatial effect. Landowners' degree of awareness of conservation easements has the most significant positive effect. Easement adoption is also higher among landowners possessing non-commodity ownership objectives, such as wildlife protection, while adoption is lower among landowners with primarily timber and investment objectives. Demand for conserving forestland has increased in areas experiencing more remarkable population growth or household income. States adopting statutory conservation easement laws earlier tend to have higher rates of easement adoption. Policy implications of these findings are discussed for conservation entities and government agencies to promote conservation easements in the future.