Land Trusts are private, tax exempt, non-profit organizations. They focus on a non-adversarial approach and work in cooperation with landowners, ranchers and government agencies. Funding comes from donations from individuals, annual dues, endowments, bequests, corporations, grants and foundations.

Over 1100 Land Trusts in 50 states are helping citizens find direct and permanent means of protecting natural resources for the public benefit. Preservation can be accomplished through property transfers, voluntary conservation easements by landowners, or purchase of parcels recognized as important to the community.