The Art and Science of Private Land Stewardship

"Anyone can take responsibility for a place," Simon Roosevelt, great-great grandson of the avid conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt, writes in his foreword. "How persistently and well a conservationist pursues responsibility, connection, and the imperatives of use and care is as much a record of a conservation commitment as is the landowner's mark on the land." Private working lands account for 70 percent (more than one billion acres) of US land, providing food, fiber, purified air and water, wildlife habitat, and cultural and societal benefits. The stewards of these lands are crucial to managing our nation's natural resources, though private landowners' contributions to society are often invisible to the public. As our population becomes increasingly disconnected from the outdoors, sharing the values and motivations of private landowners fosters a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the day-to-day challenges inherent in working the land. In The Art and Science of Private Land Stewardship, editors Roel Lopez, Jenny Sanders, James Cathey, and Abigail Huddleston present the history, philosophy, practices, and use of science-based information to provide knowledge and perspective to natural resource professionals; conservation advocates; and federal, state, and local decision-makers in their efforts to support the stewards of the working lands that sustain our country. Annotated with interviews of private landowners, The Art and Science of Private Land Stewardship will prepare agricultural and natural resource providers and agency practitioners for their invaluable work toward ensuring the resilience, health, and sustainability of our working lands-and thereby land stewards-into the future.