Photo taken by Tom Linkous

You have a unique opportunity to leave a legacy by preserving your land for generations to come! Whether you farm your land, enjoy it for recreation, or simply delight in its natural wonders, you and your heirs can continue to do so by protecting your land from development with the help of a land trust. Land trusts have many options available to help you voluntarily conserve your land; yet you can still continue to own it, farm it, grow timber on it or just derive pleasure from its presence.

Land trusts are non-profit conservation organizations that protect open space, farm land, scenic areas, natural areas, wetlands and riparian lands. They preserve land that is important to the communities and regions wherein they operate. There are 40 land trusts in Ohio; most are regionally oriented – devoted to a specific area, county or watershed. Each land trust has a different focus, which may include a regional area such as the Hocking Hills, for example. Land trusts are usually operated by a volunteer Board of Directors; larger organizations may have staff.