Conservation Banks
• Click here to read NMBA's pamphlet on conservation banking
Conservation banks are permanently protected lands that contain natural resource values. These lands are conserved and permanently managed for species that are endangered, threatened, candidates for listing, or are species-at-risk. Conservation banks function to offset adverse impacts to these species that occurred elsewhere, sometimes referred to as off-site mitigation. In exchange for permanently protecting the land and managing it for these species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) approves a specified number of habitat or species credits that bank owners may sell. Developers or other project proponents who need to compensate for the adverse impacts projects have on species may purchase the credits from conservation bank owners to mitigate their impacts.
In the early 1990s, the FWS and NMFS began approving conservation banks for a variety of federally-listed species. As of January 2009, more than 90 conservation banks have been approved by the FWS protecting over 90,000 acres of habitat. In what has been termed "a hallmark event in the 30-year history of the Endangered Species Act," the FWS issued the first comprehensive Federal guidelines in May 2003 to promote conservation banks as a tool for mitigating adverse impacts to species. Although no two banks will be developed or used in an identical fashion, the guidelines foster national consistency by standardizing establishment and operational criteria. In October 2011, the NMFS Southwest Region issued guidance for the establishment and implementation of conservation banks covering marine and anadromous species.
Conservation banks are a viable tool for advancing the recovery of listed species. The offset structure enabled by conservation banks provides a mechanism for the FWS and NMFS staff to balance the needs of all the constituents in a clear and effective manner.
CALIFORNIA
Westervelt Ecological Services
Big Gun Conservation Bank, Placer County
Species: California red-legged frog
Wildlands, Inc.
Blackburn Vernal Pool Conservation Bank, Tehama County
Species: Vernal pool fairy shrimp
Westervelt Ecological Services
Burke Ranch Conservation Bank, Solano County
Species: Vernal pool fairy shrimp, Vernal pool tadpole shrimp, Conservancy fairy shrimp, Delta green ground beetle, California tiger salamander, Swainson's hawk, Burrowing owl
Wildlands, Inc.
Fremont Landing Conservation Bank, Yolo County
Species: Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead
Wildlands, Inc.
Gilsizer Slough South Giant Garter Snake Conservation Bank, Sutter County
Species: Giant garter snake
Wildlands, Inc.
Haera Wildlife Conservation Bank, Alameda County
Species: Western burrowing owl, San Joaquin kit fox
Wildlands, Inc.
Jenny Farms Conservation Bank, Solano County
Species: Western burrowing owl, Swainson's hawk
Wildlands, Inc.
Laguna Terrace East Conservation Bank, Sacramento County
Species: Vernal pool fairy shrimp, California fairy shrimp (aka California linderiella)
Westervelt Ecological Services
Mariner Vernal Pool Conservation Bank, Placer County
Species: Vernal pool fairy shrimp, Vernal pool tadpole shrimp, Swainson's hawk
Wildlands, Inc.
River Ranch VELB Conservation Bank, Yolo County
Species: Valley elderberry longhorn beetle
Westervelt Ecological Services
Sutter Basin Conservation Bank, Sutter County
Species: Giant garter snake
MISSISSIPPI
SOUTH CAROLINA
Environmental Banc & Exchange (EBX)
Carolina Heelsplitter Conservation Bank, Lancaster
Species: Carolina Heelsplitter
Phone: 919-829-9909 | Email: Martin@ebxusa.com
TEXAS
Bandera Conservation Corridor, LLC
Bandera Corridor Conservation Bank, Bandera & Real Counties
Species: Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo
WASHINGTON
WEST VIRGINIA
Environmental Banc & Exchange (EBX)
Thunderstruck Conservation Bank
Species: Cheat Mountain Salamander
Phone: 304-465-4300 | Email: Mattfisher@ebxusa.com
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