PERC

?? READY TO SOAR? This is a transformational time at PERC. Our nimble team is growing in all departments to support our ambitious goal of inspiring a new era of conservation in America based on incentives and innovation. New open roles include: ? Conservation Counsel ? Conservation Law Fellow ? Communications Manager ? Research Fellow ? Research Associate ? State Policy Associate View all open positions here: https://lnkd.in/g96meGpm

Our CEO, Brian Yablonski, discusses America's first Virtual Fence Fund on NBC Montana: https://lnkd.in/gadxXimA Why are we so excited about virtual fencing? ?? ?? This innovative technology uses GPS-enabled collars on livestock and base station towers to create invisible boundaries without needing physical fences. This allows for more flexible and wildlife-friendly land management without the need for physical barriers, which benefits both agriculture and conservation. ?? Ranchers also benefit by eliminating the time-consuming and expensive task of repairing, replacing, and maintaining traditional barbed-wire fences. Applications are open now til Feb. 1! https://lnkd.in/gKpUd762

?? Virtual fencing uses GPS-enabled collars and wireless networks to guide cattle while keeping critical habitats open for wildlife. This innovative tool offers ranchers flexibility and enhances wildlife conservation by reducing habitat fragmentation. ?? To realize its full potential, we need clear, coordinated policies that support its adoption and integration into existing federal programs. Read PERC's thoughts in our new policy brief - https://lnkd.in/g32VXB5Q ?? Have you heard of virtual fencing?

?? Calling all ranching and conservation pioneers - We are launching America's first Virtual Fence Conservation Fund. This groundbreaking quarter-million dollar initiative aims to enhance wildlife conservation by empowering ranchers and conservationists to adopt virtual fencing technology on public and private lands. ?? The fund is now accepting applications from ranchers, landowners, and conservation organizations who seek to employ this promising technology to advance land, water, or wildlife conservation initiatives. Read more and apply at perc.org/fencefund

?? New Report Drop - A Path Forward for America's Best Idea ?? ?? Since Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, billions of dollars have been devoted to repairing, restoring, and replacing critical assets at national parks. ?? But despite the infusion of over $4 billion, the deferred maintenance backlog has grown significantly from $14.9 billion in 2020 to $23.3 billion today. ?? With the current funding set to expire in September 2025 and new legislative proposals on the horizon, policymakers are preparing to address the Park Service’s perpetually growing maintenance needs. Our latest report outlines a sustainable future for our national parks, with smart recommendations to improve maintenance and restoration. ?? Explore the path forward - click here to read more: perc.org/parks #CreativeConservation #AmericasBestIdea #PERC

?? Behind the big-screen storylines of?TV's?Yellowstone?are real conservation issues facing Montana and the West — issues PERC has been dedicated to solving with real-world solutions for years. As the final season kicks off, check out our special 2021 magazine issue that explores how well the action-packed drama reflects reality in the Rocky Mountain West -- and where Hollywood took, ahem, a few liberties. Subscribe to our magazine for free here ?? https://lnkd.in/gfEU6q-k #Yellowstone #CreativeConservation #PERC

Really excited to contribute to the economic understanding of conservation leasing as part of this effort by PERC. State trust lands make up 40 million acres here in the American West, and state government agencies have a constitutionally mandated requirement to maximize long-run sustainable revenue from those lands - historically, this has meant extractive leases for uses like timber, grazing and oil and gas. Recently, conservation groups have tried to acquire conservation leases to NOT use the land for extractive purposes, to promote wildlife health or recreation opportunities, but have been stymied by regulatory and economic policy barriers. My policy brief https://lnkd.in/eFR2NM6y lays out the economic principles that should guide state agencies when considering conservation vs extractive bids for leasing state trust land. In particular, because conservation leasing preserves an “option value” for the land to generate future sustainable revenue for the state after the lease expires, a “credit” applied to conservation bids is economically justified.

???? Wild horse adoptions are not only saving taxpayer dollars but are also restoring balance to the land, promoting biodiversity, and protecting vital habitats. It’s a win for the horses, the land, and our ecosystems. Click this link to learn more.?? ?? https://lnkd.in/g7kc3QCk #WildHorseAdoption #CreativeConservation #PERC

The public goods provided by diverse natural ecosystems may be worth a vast sum of money, but that doesn’t mean that NACs can expect to sell them for a vast sum of money. https://lnkd.in/gm-tM7FN

?? Conservation leasing is emerging as a new way to conserve public lands. As federal and state agencies explore this idea, PERC's newest research offers valuable insights into how conservation leasing can be implemented on the ground. ?? How should conservation leases be priced? What would federal lease auctions look like with conservation participants? Can state trust lands better maximize revenue by including conservation as a valid use of state lands? ?? All of these questions and more are addressed in our two newest reports - LINKED HERE:https://lnkd.in/gsQHzmkn #CreativeConservation #PERCReports #ConservationLeasing