Investing in Impact | Impact Investing

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In episode 75 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Larry Selzer, the CEO of The Conservation Fund, on his journey and the organizations path to being the investment bank for Conservation.

Larry Selzer, the CEO of the Conservation Fund, discusses his journey in conservation and the mission of the organization. The Conservation Fund is a nonprofit that buys land for conservation and promotes sustainable economic development. They work with public agencies to acquire land and hold it until the agencies are ready to purchase it back.

The organization focuses on protecting working forests and farms, which provide clean air, clean water, and jobs for rural communities. Selzer also discusses the importance of carbon markets and the need for regulations to ensure transparency and integrity.

Takeaways

• The Conservation Fund buys land for conservation and promotes sustainable economic development.
• Working forests and farms are important for clean air, clean water, and jobs in rural communities.
• Carbon markets and carbon credits play a crucial role in achieving climate solutions.
• Regulations and standards are needed to ensure transparency and integrity in the carbon offset market.
• The future of conservation lies in the convergence of the environmental movement and the free enterprise system.

Sound Bites

"Conservation and economic development is where we like to play."
"Land conservation is part of the solution to some of our great challenges."
"We need to build and deploy hundreds of thousands of miles of new transmission capacity."

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1985, committed to the dual goals of environmental preservation and economic development. With a mission to protect America’s most critical lands and waters, The Conservation Fund has become a leader in advancing sustainable, community-based conservation efforts.

Mission and Vision

The Conservation Fund aims to create solutions that make environmental and economic sense. By blending the benefits of conservation and development, they strive to address pressing environmental challenges while also supporting community prosperity. The organization’s vision is a future where both natural and human communities thrive together, ensuring that the natural world is conserved for future generations while current communities benefit from sustainable development.

Key Initiatives

1. Land Conservation:

The Conservation Fund works to protect landscapes critical to the health of America’s natural environment. This includes preserving forests, rivers, and wildlife habitats. They acquire land to protect it from development and work with government agencies and private partners to ensure its long-term stewardship.

2. Working Lands:

Recognizing that productive land use and conservation can go hand in hand, The Conservation Fund supports working forests, farms, and ranches. By promoting sustainable practices, they help landowners manage their lands in ways that support both economic livelihoods and environmental health.

3. Community Development:

The organization focuses on enhancing community resilience through sustainable development projects. This includes creating parks and green spaces in urban areas, revitalizing historic landmarks, and supporting local economies through eco-friendly tourism and recreation initiatives.

4. Waterways and Coasts:

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to protecting America’s rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. They work to preserve water quality and safeguard critical aquatic ecosystems, ensuring that water resources are managed sustainably for both people and wildlife.

5. Climate Solutions:

Addressing climate change is a core focus of The Conservation Fund. They implement projects that sequester carbon, restore ecosystems, and promote renewable energy. By integrating climate resilience into their conservation strategies, they help mitigate the impacts of climate change on natural and human communities.

Impact and Achievements

Since its inception, The Conservation Fund has protected over 8 million acres of land across the United States. Their innovative approach to conservation finance has enabled them to leverage private, public, and philanthropic investments to achieve significant conservation outcomes. Key achievements include:

• Large-scale land acquisitions: Preserving vast tracts of forestland and critical habitats.

• Urban green space creation: Transforming underutilized urban areas into community parks and recreational spaces.

• Economic benefits: Supporting local economies through eco-friendly initiatives that create jobs and boost tourism.

• Climate action: Implementing projects that have sequestered millions of tons of carbon dioxide.

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