The Service is utilizing a conservation easement program to conserve wildlife habitat on private land within the 561,700- acre boundary of the Front. Conservation easements are a proven, effective, and non-regulatory means to conserve high quality wildlife habitat and to maintain historic ranching heritage. The Service plans to purchase perpetual conservation easements from willing sellers on 170,000 acres of private land between Birch Creek and the South Fork of the Dearborn River. Funding for the easement program will come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is subject to the annual Congressional appropriations process.