A land trust is a non-profit organization that specializes in protecting natural landscapes from development by promoting various means of conservation ownership.

Most land trusts are operated as charitable public service organizations, formed expressly for the benefit of a special region. They are found in many enlightened communities, where natural surroundings are recognized to be a major asset to the local quality of life.

The concept of buying land to protect the natural landscape has been practiced for over 100 years, but gained major prominence and popularity in the early 1970s with the success of the Nature Conservancy-the largest of all land trusts and the trend has continued to expand ever since.

~UPHOLDING COMMUNITY VALUES~

Representing their communities, land trusts work hand-in-hand with receptive landowners, who recognize that the advantages of land conservation can benefit both the community and the property owners themselves. By encouraging good stewardship of wildlands, watersheds, unique habitats, and open space, land trusts serve to enhance both the quality of life and local property values. Conserving the richness of the natural world helps replenish clean air and water while providing excellent opportunities for recreation, scenic enjoyment, and spiritual uplift as well as providing a safe haven for wildlife.

~LAND TRUST PRACTICES~

The basic methods of land acquisition practiced by land trusts included direct purchase, land donations, combinations of partial donation plus bargain sale, and conservation easements that voluntarily restrict the uses of land. In many cases, valuable tax benefits can be gained by land owners as added incentives for choosing conservation options for their land. Land trusts also work with local, state, and federal agencies to foster a land conservation ethic. To achieve critical land protection goals, successful land trusts must become proficient in public outreach, building community awareness, and raising sufficient funds for acquistions. At the same time, stewardship of properties acquired is an equally fundamental responsibility of the successful land trust.

~OVERALL SUCCESS~

Local, regional, and national land trusts--supported by average citizens--are helping America to save it's bountiful wildland heritage and unique natural landscapes. When the Nature Conservancy greatly expanded its scope in the 1980s to include large interstate ecosystems and international projects, it left the field open for smaller local land trusts to protect areas of regional concern. There are over 1200 land trusts in the United States today. They have already protected nearly 5 million acres of prized landscapes.

The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust was established specifically to help consolidate the valuable forest lands of the San Bernardino Mountains, where urbanization has become a major threat to the future integrity of America's most popular forest.