From its founding to more than four decades later, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has always been and remains a staunch supporter of and active participant in carrying out meaningful conservation work. That is why it recently lent its voice along with 18 other conservation and sportsmen groups in a letter of opposition to legislation seeking to limit perpetual voluntary conservation agreements (VCA) or conservation easements.

Critics continue to circulate misconceptions and myths about VCAs, and some are pressing elected representatives to change the historic makeup of the agreements.

“Conservation easements are a win-win for both private property owners and conservation, as they allow working lands to continue producing food and fiber for Americans while also conserving wildlife habitat, clean water, and the rural character of the land,” stated the letter (see below) sent to the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization of state legislators and private sector representatives.

Beginning in 1990, RMEF partnered with private landowners to protect more than 458,000 acres of wildlife habitat via 239 voluntary conservation agreements in 16 states and remains a steadfast supporter of private property rights and the desires of landowners who want to leave a lasting legacy for their families and wildlife.

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December 1, 2025

The Honorable Members

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)

2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 600

Arlington, VA 22202

Re: Opposition to Limiting Conservation Easements Duration Act

Dear Honorable ALEC Members,

On behalf of the undersigned organizations and the millions of American hunters, anglers, and other conservationists we represent, we write to express our unified opposition to model legislation limiting perpetual conservation easements. Conservation easements are a voluntary, customizable, market-based tool that can provide much-needed infusions of capital and/or tax breaks to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners while allowing them to continue producing food and fiber on their private property and conserve important habitat for wildlife.

Despite claims made by critics of conservation easements, they are entirely voluntary and can be customized to meet the needs of both the landowner and the entity holding the easement. The conservation value of private property is an important private property right – no different from the other bundle of rights property owners hold (e.g minerals, water). We do not believe it is the role of any government to supersede the property rights of individuals to determine how they choose to participate in conservation with lands under their control. Limiting conservation easements as a tool for landowners to choose as they deem appropriate is essentially telling farmers and ranchers that they do not know what is best for their land, their business, or their families.

Conservation easements have been a long-used and successful tool to ensure hunting, angling, wildlife habitat, rural landscapes, and agricultural production are protected from external pressures. They are voluntary legal contracts that allow for the tailored management of specific land parcels for producers, while maintaining the conservation character of the land. They can provide a source of revenue for families who want to continue working the land in its historic manner and receive compensation to assist their operations. Furthermore, conservation easements ensure that the land remains on county tax rolls and continues to produce agricultural products, serving as an economic multiplier in rural areas.

Importantly, conservation easements are a win-win for both private property owners and conservation, as they allow working lands to continue producing food and fiber for Americans while also conserving wildlife habitat, clean water, and the rural character of the land. As hunters, anglers, and other conservationists, we urge you to oppose any efforts to limit conservation easements, which is ultimately an affront to private property rights and undermines one of the most important tools for conservation.

Sincerely,

American Woodcock Society

Boone & Crockett Club

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Dallas Safari Club

Delta Waterfowl

Ducks Unlimited

Houston Safari Club

Mississippi Wildlife

National Deer Association

National Rifle Association

National Shooting Sports Foundation

Pheasants Forever

Quail Forever

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Ruffed Grouse Society

Safari Club International

Texas Wildlife Association

Wild Sheep Foundation

Wyoming Wildlife Federation