Conservation groups amass acreage YUCAIPA, Calif. (AP) - From expanses of cactus in California to bird sanctuaries in Illinois and tiny flower gardens in Pennsylvania, a new breed of landowner is amassing acreage, with nary a bulldozer or architect in sight. The idea is to prevent pavement and preserve open space, and it's all built on trust. Actually, lots of trusts. Land trusts and conservancies in the United States - now 1,213 of them actively buying land and brokering "conservation easements" from private owners - have preserved 5 million acres, more than twice the amount of just 10 years ago, according to the Washington-based Land Trust Alliance. If the holdings were merged, they would exceed the square mileage of New Jersey. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2557596878-964>
