INTEGRATED HABITAT Management
INTEGRATED HABITAT Management Services
Lanracorp and our partners have the tools needed to elevate your right-of-way management practices to the next level. Integrated Habitat Management (IHM) is currently the ultimate approach to managing vegetation on rights of way. IHM isn’t just about establishing wildlife habitat though; it’s about investing in the future of our ecosystems and our communities. Here’s why IHM is worth your consideration:
IHM prioritizes sustainability by harmonizing human activities and vegetation management practices with the natural environment. By managing rights-of-way holistically, we ensure that ecosystems remain resilient and capable of supporting diverse flora and fauna for generations to come. There is roughly 2.5 million miles of pipeline ROW in the U.S. that equates to 12 million acres. The pipeline industry has a huge opportunity to turn some of that acreage into beneficial habitat that supports pollinators and wildlife.
While initial investments might seem substantial, IHM pays off in the long run. By preventing habitat degradation and loss, we mitigate the need for costly restoration projects in future years. Additionally, IHM often yields multiple benefits, such as enhanced water quality, reduced erosion, increased carbon sequestration, along with fewer and less intrusive vegetation management activities over time, making it a financially sound choice.
One of the primary goals of IHM is to establish and conserve biodiversity. By maintaining healthy habitats, we provide refuge for countless species. Biodiversity is not only crucial for ecosystem stability but also for our well-being, as it fortifies essential ecosystem services like pollination, pest control, and water filtration.
With increasing environmental regulations, businesses and organizations need to ensure compliance with habitat protection laws and pipeline regulations. IHM provides a proactive approach to meeting these requirements while also demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility in the communities that are relied on to operate.
IHM projects often lead to collaboration with local landowners and communities, fostering a sense of partnership and stewardship. By engaging residents in habitat restoration and management efforts, we not only improve the environment but also build stronger, more resilient relationships and a better reputation.
Investing in Integrated Habitat Management is an investment in the future, where corporations, communities and nature all thrive together. Let our team help you get the ball rolling with Integrated Habitat Management on your Right-of-Way.
Take a look at Lanracorp’s 5-Steps to IHM Implementation below.
Establish Clear Objectives
We begin by meeting with stakeholders to define the project’s objectives, ensuring that everyone starts the process aligned and working toward the same goals.
IDENTIFY SITES AND PERFORM ASSESSMENTS
Not every mile or acre of ROW is suitable for Integrated Habitat Management (IHM). We assess entire pipelines or specific sites to understand their condition before moving forward with the next steps.
Develop the IHM Plan
Based on assessments, we help determine the most effective control methods—whether physical, chemical, or biological—and establish action thresholds tailored to each site’s unique needs.
Involve the Community
Engaging with the community shows that you care about the places people live and work. We work with landowners and local organizations to spread the word and highlight the project’s positive impact, using signs and markers to reinforce your commitment.
Implement and Monitor Your IHM
Staying proactive ensures long-term success. We utilize GIS technology to monitor progress and plan future work, standing by your side as a trusted partner throughout the years to come.
Bat Survey & Acoustic Monitoring
Bat habitat surveys are becoming a standard requirement ahead of ROW clearing — and for good reason. Federal and state regulations under the Endangered Species Act can halt a clearing project mid-season if protected bat species are discovered too late. The practical solution isn’t to avoid clearing during nesting season and wait out the delay. It’s to know what’s there before crews mobilize.
Lanracorp’s bat survey services give pipeline and utility clients a proactive path forward. Our experienced wildlife specialists conduct habitat assessments, acoustic monitoring, and bat presence/absence surveys ahead of vegetation clearing — identifying areas where bats are roosting so your crews can avoid them, schedule around them, or meet agency approval requirements before work begins.
Our bat survey services include:
- Desktop habitat review and species risk assessment
- On-site field habitat assessments
- Acoustic monitoring (2–4 night deployments, standardized protocol)
- Bat call identification and data analysis
- Agency coordination (USFWS and state wildlife agencies)
- Bat Survey Report with maps, findings, and mitigation recommendations
The result: Your clearing schedule stays intact. Your project stays compliant. And you’re not scrambling for answers when an agency asks questions.
Whether your company requires surveys ahead of ROW clearing or you simply want to avoid a seasonal work stoppage, Lanracorp delivers reliable, science-based survey data and practical compliance solutions — the same way we approach every service we provide.
Survey season typically runs May–August. Early coordination is strongly recommended.
Monarch CCAA Program Support
As pipeline operators continue to balance regulatory and habitat compliance, the Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) provides an opportunity to support monarch butterfly habitat while maintaining your ROW vegetation program. Participation can help demonstrate proactive conservation efforts, support ESG initiatives, and provide regulatory assurances should the monarch butterfly receive future Endangered Species Act protections. The program was created by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and industry partners because there was concern that the monarch butterfly could be listed under the Endangered Species Act. The goal is to create monarch habitat on energy and transportation rights-of-way before additional regulations become necessary. If you voluntarily implement approved monarch conservation practices now, you may receive regulatory assurances and incidental take coverage if the monarch becomes listed in the future, this is a big deal.
Lanracorp helps operators integrate monarch conservation into their existing ROW management programs without compromising safety, visibility, access, or compliance. Through our Smart-ROW™️ approach, we provide habitat assessments, GIS mapping, drone and field surveys, milkweed and pollinator habitat identification, Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) planning, native vegetation establishment, selective herbicide programs, habitat monitoring, documentation, and ongoing reporting. Our team can assess opportunities across your system, develop a customized habitat management strategy, execute the work, and provide the transparency and documentation needed to support long-term program success.
Rather than treating monarch conservation as a separate initiative, Lanracorp helps operators incorporate it into a smarter, more strategic corridor management program that supports both operational objectives and environmental goals.
Get ahead on this iniative and alleviate further regulatory issues down the road.
Integrated Habitat Management Made Simple
Not sure what your habitat management plan should include?
Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your project.