The first two Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) easements within SISL are now in place. Both are near Lake Glendora Test Facility in Sullivan County. These two privately-owned properties represent over 700 acres of farmland and forestland. The owners have made a permanent commitment to protect these properties in perpetuity for the benefit of conservation and working lands, recognizing that compatible rural land uses are also necessary to support the critical missions of our military installations and ranges in southern Indiana.
While funding for these easements was made available through the Department of Defense, the difficult piece of the equation is finding a qualified entity to hold and steward the easement. For these two easements, our valued partner American Farmland Trust (AFT) stepped up to be that entity. AFT is the only national agricultural organization that approaches its work in this comprehensive, holistic manner. They recognize the connection between the land, forward-looking farming practices, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. They also recognize the power of combining on-the-ground projects with objective research and effective advocacy. SISL is constantly engaging with new and existing landowners and partners to look for opportunities to protect our rural lands while supporting our military installations and ranges.
