Options for Creating a Land Interest Holding Entity

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2. Use the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) NFWF is a fifteen year old, publicly chartered non-profit carporation dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats through forging partnerships between public and przvate sectors. NFWF often serves as an implementation entity for protectian of important habitat involving federal, state and local interests. For organizational purposes, NFWF falls within the Department of the Interiar (DOI), though it is an independent entity that does not receive directions from any part af DOI, and does not report to the Secretary of Interior except as one of the directors on its board. Appropriations af federal funds to an existing federal corporation, such as NFWF, is routine and would require no greater legislative action than budget approval in fhe appropriating process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is specifically empowered to fund projects involving interdepartmental, intergovernmental and publzc/private cooperation through the NFWF. NFWF is capable of contracting to take on a variety of roles from simply holding interests in land, to operating as a fiduciary agent and managing money flows, to active project management and coordination. NFWF wauld use a program manager from one of its regional vffices to manage land entity functions and has access tQ excellent real estate, appraisal and due diligence assessment Capabilities. It has performed all of the land entity functions for other projects, although not on a long term basis. NFWF would negotiate a contxact, scope of services and fee schedule with the Governance Committee to carry out specific activities. It would prefer to do one trial transaction on a time and materials basis in order to determine an accurate assessment of costs. Based on that test case, a longer term relationship could be structured which would be based on operational experience and real costs. Traditianally, NFWF is a transitianal holder of real estate, but is increasingly halding properties for longer time periods, particularly for special habitat lands. It is restricted frorn engaging in either advocacy or litigation. It has a great deal of experience in working with local communities, nan-profit Iand conservation organizations and land management and restoration organizations, and has experience raising funds from other sources ta enhance project funding. According ta its 1999 financial report, NFWF received over $28 miilion in private, foundation, carporate and rion-governmental organization support during 1999, accounting for 45% of its total revenues. NFWF has the ability to set up distinct projects largely directed by third parties which are involved in programs related to its mission of habitat pratection and management. The direction of these prajects can be accomplished through a project board af directors or contact graup specified by agreement. Specific direction writh regard to acquisition and disposition of parcels can be accomplished through an operating agreement with NFWF. Conservarion Parrners, Inc. p. 5