During the past several years, the Minnesota Land Trust has worked with various developers, planners, and local units of government to design conservation-oriented developments. The Land Trust has consulted on many such projects, and holds easements in 31.

The Land Trust also worked with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and Design Institute to produce the Conservation Design Portfolio: Preserving Minnesota Landscapes Through Creative Development, which highlights seven residential developments that were specifically designed to minimize impacts on the lands and waters that surround them.

Download the portfolio in PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader):

Conservation Design booklet

Case Studies:

• Jackson Meadow
• Fields of St. Croix
• Wild Meadows
• Mineral Springs
• Windsor Park
• High Park Village
• Hunter's Ridge

The Minnesota Land Trust will continue to use conservation design and planning strategies in our ongoing conservation efforts. Also, we are encouraged by the great number of agencies and organizations that have incorporated conservation design principles into their programs and who will carry on this important work. Please refer the Portfolio to others who might be interested in conservation approaches to development. We hope it will help encourage the design of more attractive and environmentally responsible communities throughout Minnesota.

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