Understanding Land Trusts

Land trusts are nonprofit organizations that protect and steward land for the long-term benefit of communities. Depending on their mission, they may conserve farmland, forests, wildlife habitat, and open space, or support community needs such as affordable housing, gardens, parks, and shared community spaces.

This resource provides an introduction to how land trusts work, the different types of land trusts, and the roles they play in protecting land from development while ensuring it continues to serve public and community purposes. Whether you're new to land trusts or exploring models for long-term land stewardship, this guide offers a helpful foundation for understanding one of the key tools used to care for land across the United States.

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