Operating Model

Ecosystem service providers purchase lands that may not be productive for farming or conventional development, and they do so at market rates. In all cases, the lands have the ability to be augmented ecologically to help restore a system of wetlands, streams, forested areas or habitat. The creation, restoration, preservation and credit of sales activities associated with this “environmental lift” are most often facilitated by the ecosystem service provider.

These lands can be brought to a higher state of ecological value, while using covenants and easements to prevent conventional development. Generally, they are converted into a “Mitigation Bank”, used to offset permitted activities or a restoration project to satisfy a Federal/State environmental enforcement case. Depending on the sensitivity of the habitat and the ecosystem that has been created or restored on the site, there is still tremendous potential value to the land in terms of ecotourism, hunting and fishing, and other forms of passive recreation. As an ecosystem service provider, GreenTrust Alliance (GTA) is well positioned to be the steward of lands that have been developed into high functioning conservation projects, facilitating both rigorous maintenance and monitoring compliance, as well as a suitable public use element for the enjoyment of the public.