Private Land Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation: the case of conservation covenants

Long-term stewardship by landholders is needed when managing private lands for biodiversity outcomes. Sustained management is most likely to occur when the landholder is willing, able, and engaged with support networks. I examined these elements within the context of conservation covenanting programs in Australia, which require ongoing management from current and future property owners. Although landholders are willing to manage their land for conservation benefit, findings suggest the effectiveness of covenanting programs could be improved through bolstering landholders’ ability and empowering them through greater facilitation of connections with other covenanted landholders.