This document discusses using conservation easements to protect the forested watersheds of lakes important for cisco populations in Minnesota. It notes that Minnesota's climate is warming and this is negatively impacting cisco. 176 cisco refuge lakes were identified as priorities for protection. The document proposes investing $180 million to establish conservation easements on 300,000 acres of forest land within the watersheds of these refuge lakes to help maintain good water quality conditions for cisco. Private forest conservation easements are presented as an established tool that could help with this protection goal.