Conservation and Dual Land Use

Understanding Dual Land Use

“Dual land use” refers to managing land for both economic productivity and environmental conservation, for example, grazing cattle while maintaining wildlife habitat, or leasing land for renewable energy while continuing to farm.

In Northern Colorado, this approach is becoming more common as landowners look to diversify income while protecting the natural resources that make their property valuable.

1. Agriculture and Conservation Can Coexist

Modern conservation isn’t about taking land out of use, it’s about using it wisely.
Many farms now participate in voluntary programs that encourage practices such as:

• Rotational grazing to reduce soil erosion

• Cover cropping to retain moisture and nutrients

• Buffer strips along ditches and waterways to prevent runoff
  
  

These efforts improve long-term soil health and water quality, which directly support better yields and land value.

Fact: According to the USDA, farms that adopt conservation practices often see a 10–20% increase in soil productivity within 5 years.

2. Renewable Energy Leases: A Growing Opportunity

Across the West, solar and wind developers are partnering with ag landowners to use small portions of farmland for renewable projects.
This dual-use approach allows farmers to:

• Keep farming most of their acres
  
  

• Earn stable lease income from renewable energy installations
  
  

• Support Colorado’s clean energy goals
  
  

These leases can provide steady, predictable revenue, often helping offset the volatility of commodity markets or drought-related losses.

Fact: In Colorado, solar leases can generate between $700 and $1,500 per acre annually, depending on location and grid access.

3. Wildlife and Pollinator Partnerships

Many landowners now integrate wildlife corridors or pollinator habitats on less-productive acreage.
This benefits both the environment and the farm’s public image, and can qualify the owner for state or federal conservation incentives.

Programs like Colorado’s Open Lands Initiative and NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offer financial and technical assistance for these efforts.

4. Water: The Most Valuable Resource to Protect

In Northern Colorado, water rights and conservation go hand in hand.
Smart irrigation systems, soil monitoring, and ditch maintenance can reduce water use by 15–30% without sacrificing production.

By balancing conservation with efficient use, landowners protect both their crop yield and their long-term right to that water, a critical consideration in every real estate transaction.

The Takeaway

Conservation and profit aren’t opposites, they’re partners.
Colorado landowners who embrace dual land use are not only preserving their property’s natural beauty but also creating more resilient, financially stable operations for the future.

Whether it’s leasing a few acres for solar, improving soil health, or enhancing water efficiency, every step toward conservation strengthens both the land and the legacy it supports.