Spending time in nature is an essential part of the human experience.

Our land is our legacy. When a land trust commits to protecting a special place forever, it makes a promise that the land will always be there — for us, for our children, for their children, forever. When time outdoors is prioritized, a love of plants, wildlife and natural systems is fostered and passed on to the next generation.

  • Prisoners at a maximum-security facility in the United States are guaranteed two hours of outdoor time daily, whereas one out of every two kids worldwide spends less than an hour outside each day.

  • Encroaching development, neglect and natural disasters threaten countless historic, archeological, architectural and cultural sites located across the United States.

  • A survey of 2,000 children aged five to 16 highlighted that they spend an average of six and a half hours a day in front of a screen such as a TV, a gaming device, a mobile phone, computer or tablet.

Land trusts have already conserved 61 million acres of private land across the nation — more than all of the national parks combined. Help us conserve another 60 million acres by the end of the decade.

Together, let’s keep Gaining Ground.

Land trusts are gaining ground for future generations.

Now more than ever the natural world provides solutions key to economic stability, food security, healthy communities, thriving wildlife populations and slowing down climate change. Land trusts have proven tools for permanently protecting places in nature that are key to a healthy planet — and all that comes with it — today and in the future.

Together, let’s keep Gaining Ground.

Land trusts at work

Learn how land trusts across the country are gaining ground.

“I hope that conserving our property with Natural Lands will further both historical and open space local preservation efforts. Perhaps the biggest benefit of all will be spreading the importance of conserving these natural areas so that our children and their children will be able to enjoy them.”
Sean Boyd, owner of Great Oak Farm with his wife, Jessica Neff-Boyd

Learn more about why Sean Boyd and Jessica Neff-Boyd pursued a conservation easement for their property, Great Oak Farm.

There is, however, still a chance for us to conserve, restore and sustainably care for nature in ways that allow it to provide it’s many benefits into the future — but only through transformative change in how we go about doing it.

Making progress on today’s challenges might seem out of reach for one individual. Supporting your local land trust is an easy and tangible way to have a positive impact as part of a larger team. Join us in protecting lands today to secure a healthy planet for future generations.

Make a lasting impact