The elephant in the room: Absentee landowner issues in conservation and land management

In this article, we provide a synthesis of the peer-reviewed literature and state and federal policies focused on absentee landowners of forestland, rangeland, or farmland in the U.S. The synthesis indicates absentee owners, as compared to those living on the land, appear to be much more likely to live in urban areas, are less dependent financially upon the land and much more likely to own land for amenity reasons than production purposes. Absentee owners are also less likely to be engaged in active management practices, decision making regarding these practices, and less likely to have contact with extension and local natural resource agency program staff. In addition, little formal policy was identified as having any direct or explicit emphasis on absentee landownership issues involving private forest, range, or farmland.Based on our review we conclude there is a need for: (1) Improved research to understand conservation management and absentee landownership, (2) Improved research and policy that considers the role of the tenant operator in farmland conservation, (3) Improved research and policy that considers the role of the ranch manager in conservation, (4) Creating, implementing and evaluating outreach models and (5) Coordinated efforts on research and outreach.

► Absentee owners, as compared to resident owners, are much more likely to live in urban areas, are less dependent financially upon the land and much more likely to own land for amenity reasons.
► Absentee landowners are less likely to have scientific knowledge or traditional management knowledge.
► Absentee owners are less likely to be engaged in active management and in particular timber harvest or other production. In comparison to resident owners, absentee owners are much less likely to have contact with extension and local natural resource agency program staff.
► Little formal policy or program at the state or federal level exists which has any direct or explicit emphasis on absentee landownership issues involving private forest, range, or farm land.
► Various future research, outreach and policy efforts are needed and discussed in detail.