Programs that protect and restore entire ecosystems (natural areas made up of a community of plants, animals and other living things in a particular physical or chemical environment) as a means of protecting all species within the environment before they become endangered and conserving natural biological diversity while supporting a sustainable level of economic and recreational activity. Ecosystem conservation/management is a complement to species-level conservation rather than an alternative, and addresses the primary cause of species decline (habitat destruction).

[ View Programs and Services (1) ]

Programs that preserve and protect endangered land resources from indiscriminate development, destruction or decay and which manage the utilization of renewable and nonrenewable resources to ensure ongoing availability. Included are conservation of forests, rangeland vegetation, deserts, wild and scenic rivers and other wilderness areas and open land spaces; and reestablishment of areas that have been devastated by strip mining or other destructive activities.

[ View Programs and Services (14) ]

Programs that provide for the management and protection of lakes, rivers, streams, aquifers and their surrounding watersheds while addressing problems such as poorly functioning storm drains, degraded habitat, illegal sewer hookups, leaking pipes, erosion, dumping, and limited or lack of access to the river itself for fishing, swimming, canoeing or other recreational activities.

[ View Programs and Services (2) ]