Despite what you might be hearing, the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) will not foster respect for private property rights.

Smooth salesmen and lawyers representing land trusts, environmental organizations and government agencies are swooping down upon America’s beleaguered and highly regulated rural landowners. With a smile, some cash and a contract, America's landowners are rapidly losing private control of natural resources. 

Summary:

"Liberty Garden proves that if people are free to create voluntary associations, the laws of economics and the consequence of stewardship will cause the earth to improve."

Michael Shaw, Abundance Ecologist

 LA SELVA BEACH, Calif. -- Michael Shaw is the owner and proprietor of Liberty Garden, where -- using a program of seedbank management -- he created a native plant oasis o­n the central coast of California. In this excerpt from his treatise "What is Private Property?", Shaw explains that if people are free to create voluntary associations, the laws of economics and the consequence of stewardship will cause the earth to improve. "Private property and a healthy planet are inseparable," Shaw says.

Summary:
Oregon State Senator Ted Ferrioli proves that instead of conserving precious resources, fundraising efforts to acquire land for conservation are a ripoff to the taxpayer with no guarantee that the promised benefits will materialize.

Summary: Michael Park reviews an enlightening audio lecture by economist George Reisman.

SUMMARY:
In a powerful 50 minute presentation, abundance ecologist Michael Shaw described the nature, origin, structure and pace of the implementation of Sustainable Development/Agenda 21 in Santa Cruz and across the nation to residents of Auburn, California. The presentation incorporated examples from the Sierras, including a proposed Auburn City Tree Ordinance that dictates what a homeowner can do with trees on their own two acre lot. A report from this event (from the Auburn Journal) follows, with annotation by Freedom 21 Santa Cruz [now Freedom Advocates].

SUMMARY: Do we have to choose between protecting the environment and growing the economy? J. David Breemer from the Pacific Legal Foundation argues that we don't. In fact, he says, "environmental improvements happen because of, not in spite of, private property and free enterprise."