Looking back at a great 2024 and looking forward to an even better 2025!
Looking forward to a busy summer of Conservation Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement!
Director’s Message
As we move into a very busy summer season, we want to recognize our growing number of Military Readiness & Conservation Partnerships with State Governments. Within the last year, the State of Washington provided CLF with a grant of $2,500,000 to assist with our REPI work at Fairchild Air Force Base.
$3 Million Boost for Homestead Air Reserve Base
Through our ongoing partnership with HARB, the Compatible Lands Foundation (CLF) works to prevent incompatible development by securing conservation easements and land acquisitions. This new funding will help protect critical buffer zones around the base, ensuring uninterrupted operations, while preserving working lands and conserving natural resources for future generations.
This work is part of CLF’s commitment to aligning land conservation with military readiness—and it would not be possible without CLF’s collaboration with the DOD’s REPI (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration) Program.
New Lands Protected
| Installation Name | Number of Transactions | Number of Acres Conserved |
|---|---|---|
| US Army Garrison. AK | 1 | 39.8 |
| Hill AFB, UT | 1 | 8.92 |
| Ft. Campbell, KY/TN | 1 | 70.18 |
| Ft. Cavazos, TX | 1 | 160 |
| Randolph AFB, TX | 2 | 83.13 |
Preserving Longleaf Pine & Protecting Species Habitat in Mississippi!
As part of our $3,000,000 grant award via our working lands conservation partnership with the Mississippi USDA-NRCS, we are excited to kick off our on-the-ground work under the Healthy Forest Reserve Program. This is a major step forward in restoring one of the Southeast’s most important ecosystems. The first phase includes preparing the land for longleaf pine establishment, with plans to plant over 60,000 longleaf pine seedlings.
Longleaf pine is a keystone species native to the lower coastal plain of the southeastern U.S., once covering millions of acres. Restoring this habitat is critical — not just for the landscape itself, but for the many endangered and threatened species that depend on it, including the Gopher Tortoise and the Black Pine Snake.
This is not just a planting project — it is a long-term conservation commitment, and CLF is proud to take it on.
Natural Infrastructure in Action: CLF Advances Water Resilience in the Texas Hill Country
These nature-based practices include berms, brush management, rock features, bioretention systems, deep soil ripping, bioswales, and Zuni bowls — all designed to slow runoff, capture stormwater, and support healthy ecosystems.
- Soil compaction relief
- Flood and runoff mitigation
- Erosion control
- Improved infiltration and groundwater recharge
- Pollinator habitat creation
This work aligns closely with NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) goals, including enhancing aquatic habitats, maintaining water quality, and supporting healthy plant and soil communities..
Next Steps for CLF:
- Share recommendations with landowners and gather feedback
- Support permitting and funding efforts
- Provide construction inspections and post-installation monitoring
This initiative underscores CLF’s commitment to practical, science-based solutions that mimic natural processes to build long-term land and water resilience. Through collaboration with landowners and partners like NRCS, we are creating landscapes that can better manage stormwater, reduce erosion, and thrive in changing conditions.
Want to learn more?
Contact Karen Bishop, Water Resilience Program Manager, for more information on these efforts and how you can support or participate. kbishop@compatiblelands.org
New Tax Documents Now Available on Our Website
We have updated our landowner resources! The latest versions of CLF’s tax guidance materials for landowners are now available here. These documents are designed to support landowners in understanding the financial and reporting requirements tied to conservation projects—including IRS documentation, bargain sale amounts, and easement valuations. Visit our Landowner Resources tab to download the latest forms and stay informed.
Spotlight on Anita Harless: Conservation Through Connection
At Fort Cavazos, Anita played a key role in conserving over 7,000 acres by building relationships and earning the trust of initially hesitant landowners. Her calm, steady approach turned doubts into lasting partnerships.
With a degree in Wildlife Management from Arkansas State University and field experience studying the Black-capped Vireo, Anita brings deep knowledge and passion to every project. Both of Anita’s children are serving in the US Army.
CLF is proud to celebrate Anita’s dedication to conservation and the strong partnerships she continues to build across the country.
Welcome New Team Members and Summer Interns!
We are excited to welcome new members to the Compatible Lands Foundation team!
Scott Morton
REPI Program Manager
Scott brings nearly a decade of experience working with conservation easements across Utah and Arizona through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Most recently, Scott served as an Assistant State Conservationist for Easements in Utah, leading efforts to protect vital lands and strengthen conservation partnerships.
Scott’s conservation journey started in the field offices of Montana, where he worked closely with the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations to improve conservation practices. His background also includes forestry work — after graduating from Louisiana Tech University in 2001 with a degree in Forestry, he served as a Special Project Forester in the Mississippi Delta Region and contributed to a timber cruising project at Fort Bragg as part of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Study.
Beyond the world of conservation, Scott enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and sharing his love of nature with his wife and two young daughters.
Kimberly Burr
Assistant REPI Program Manager
Kimberly Burr is an accomplished conservation leader with over 21 years of experience working within federal agencies, specializing in natural resource conservation and program management. As the Supervisory State Easement Specialist for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Texas, Kimberly led strategic initiatives to preserve vital agricultural and natural landscapes through innovative conservation programs.
Kyra Leibowitz, Summer Intern,
University of North Texas
Kyra Leibowitz is a dedicated and results-driven professional with strong communication, leadership, and customer service skills. Currently pursuing a degree in Communication Studies with a Marketing minor at the University of North Texas, Kyra is actively seeking opportunities to expand her professional experience in 2025.
Colby Steele, Summer Intern,
University of Mississippi
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Real Estate, Colby developed a passion for the industry after observing his family’s successes. Drawn to development and land acquisition, Colby has built a strong foundation through coursework in economics, statistics, and market trends. Eager to deepen his understanding of land use and innovative property management, Colby aims to build a versatile career in real estate acquisition, finance, and law over the next five years.
