All About Land Trusts!

What is a Land Trust?

A land trust is a nonprofit organization that works to protect land forever. They do this by buying land, accepting land donations, or placing conservation restrictions (legal agreements that limit development). The goal is to keep important natural areas, like forests, beaches, wetlands, and farmland safe from being built on or destroyed.

How Does it Work?

Land protection through a land trust can happen in a few ways. Sometimes, a landowner donates or sells their property (or just the development rights) to the land trust. In other cases, the land trust works with community partners to acquire and safeguard new conservation lands.

Once protected, the land trust makes a permanent, legal commitment to care for that land in perpetuity. These protected spaces often remain open to the public for walking trails, wildlife habitat, or environmental education, but they are safeguarded from development or alteration.

Why it Matters

Land trusts play a crucial role in keeping special places natural for:

• Wildlife habitat

• Clean water

• Public enjoyment

• Climate protection

Here in Chatham, the Chatham Conservation Foundation has been doing this work since 1962 — preserving the lands and waters that make our town so unique and beautiful. Every acre protected helps ensure that Chatham’s natural heritage will continue to thrive for generations to come.