Keep Working Lands Working

1. Home /
2. Blog Home /
3. Private Landowners Leading the Way: Conservation Success Stories from Land Report's Summer 2024 Issue

Private Landowners Leading the Way: Conservation Success Stories from Land Report's Summer 2024 Issue

The latest issue of Land Report magazine (Summer 2024) features three insightful articles highlighting the leadership and effectiveness of private landowners in conservation and landscape stewardship.

First, Red Emmerson of Sierra Pacific Industries celebrated his 95th birthday by planting his 300th million tree, remarking, "It’s a legacy I’m proud of!" In 2021, Emmerson became America’s largest private landowner, with 2.4 million acres in California, Oregon, and Washington. Sierra Pacific Industries stands as a living example of effective private land management, in contrast to the current state of western forests overseen by the U.S. Forest Service. Read more about Red Emmerson’s incredible achievement.

Next, Dean Saunders, 64, has played a pivotal role in the protection of 270,000 acres in northern Florida through over 120 conservation easements. As Florida, like Texas, faces intense development pressures, his work has been crucial in safeguarding these lands. Learn more about Dean Saunders’ conservation efforts. (See pages 72-75)

Finally, James King of King Land & Water in Fort Davis, Texas, has been a dedicated advocate for conservation easements for over 35 years. With Texas being "carved up at an unbelievable rate," King’s work has become more critical than ever. Explore James King’s conservation legacy. (See pages 86-93)

These individuals are stellar champions of private land conservation, proving that private efforts can often be more effective than those in the public sector.