In the early 2000s, citizens of Bastrop County, Texas were required to set aside 15,000 acres of county land for a species of amphibian known as the Houston toad.

Requirements like these often unintentionally incentivize landowners to kill endangered species and cover up any evidence so they can maintain control over their land.

A local rancher named Bob Long found a better option by adding habitat protection and fencing on his property for the toad, in exchange for a Safe Harbor Agreement.

Safe Harbor Agreements stipulate that if the landowner takes steps to make their land more habitable for an endangered species, more regulations won’t be imposed and they can be compensated for their efforts.