Stewardship for a shifting world

The land trust community is navigating the changing landscape of the world in which we work and the heightened complexity, severity and frequency of challenges. An increasingly significant challenge is emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, large language models and data centers, and their associated energy, water and land consumption (see the article on p. 14 of this edition of Saving Land). This challenge, while new, still requires old forms of infrastructure such as power lines, pipelines, equipment and large buildings. And, like other challenges facing land trusts, stewardship staff are on the front lines. Are they prepared and supported to respond appropriately to these new threats?

Without proper planning, transmission expansion will likely follow data center expansion. Unfortunately, governmental taking of lands, including conserved lands, for the construction of transmission infrastructure is the most frequent means of grid expansion. Human and natural communities near these developments will disproportionately experience adverse impacts.

Land trusts have worked with landowners to collectively conserve more than 61 million acres of land — critical forests, farms, ranchlands, wetlands and grasslands — that provide benefits such as clean air, clean drinking water and food, and safe spaces to live, work and play. The public benefits of conserved lands, and the billions of taxpayer dollars invested, need to be safeguarded from conversion to energy infrastructure.

Fortunately, there are opportunities to address the needs of energy generation and transition in less impactful ways that protect the critical resources, public benefits and taxpayer investment of conserved lands.

One example is to maximize the transmission potential of the existing grid through measures such as reconductoring, which replaces conventional aluminum conductor steel cables with advanced, more efficient conductors. This minimizes harm to conserved lands and communities by reducing the build-out of new transmission infrastructure.

For land trusts to meaningfully engage and be effective with government, industry and the public on proposed data centers and related transmission infrastructure, they need to understand the necessary technical details to avoid and minimize impacts on conserved lands. This includes understanding and having access to data on current and future energy use, water conservation technology, pollution reduction measures and how to avoid detrimental impacts to communities. Land trusts can also help communicate about how energy infrastructure and permanent land conservation are connected. For example, efficiencies in data center water usage will lead to energy efficiencies and, in turn, less strain on the grid and less condemnation of conserved lands for new transmission infrastructure.

Land trusts need knowledgeable staff or volunteers who have compensation, resources and systems to do their jobs well, that can engage in productive conversations with landowners and community stakeholders and are able to respond when a proposed transmission project could affect conserved lands. Identifying potential problems will allow time to anticipate and respond appropriately. Stewardship staff will hear of these first, and they need ample support and systems to be able to respond effectively.

Land trusts with strong stewardship teams that are fully funded and supported will be better positioned to navigate the new challenges posed by emerging technologies and energy development.