Our shared purpose
Vermont is a place where the well-being of land and people is entwined. With families, communities, and partners, we conserve land and foster life-long connections to the farms, forests, and natural areas that define us. Because the more connected we are to the land, the more committed we are to its care.
Our results
Rooted in Vermont since 1977, we have protected more than 640,000 acres of farmland, forestland, and community lands, covering over 11% of the state. Much of this land is privately owned and contributes to our abundance of local food, maple and timber products, tourism and recreation, and the vitality of our towns and villages.
For our farms, our forests, and our future
What we do
Working towards the common good of land and people isn’t always easy. Collaboration is essential to success, as is being deeply rooted in the communities we serve. With expertise in conservation, ecology, community engagement, and finance, we:
- Conserve land with important economic, community, and environmental benefits by limiting development and ensuring sound land stewardship practices
- Support farmers in buying land and growing sustainable businesses
- Improve the health of land, water, and soil, and share that knowledge with all others
- Ensure that permanent legal protections on 2,200 parcels are upheld, in partnership with landowners
- Connect all people to the outdoors through education and events
How we help...
Land connects us all
Why this work matters
Vermont’s landscape is more than a backdrop, it is the bedrock of our economy. Its beauty, which reflects its hardworking past and present, draws visitors – and revenue – to our state. Active lands are vital to strong rural communities and essential for our future. Faced with a rapidly changing climate and economic pressures amid rising land prices, we work to find creative solutions to complex challenges, learning as we go. We use conservation as a tool to support:
- Fresh, local food from farmers who care for the land and water on their property, and whose efforts make food supply in our region more reliable and stable
- Land-based jobs, livelihoods, and ways of life in our rural communities
- Resilient wetlands, streams, and rivers that can slow down and hold water during floods
- Healthy forests that host an abundance of wildlife and biodiversity and that are adapting to a changing climate
- Welcoming spaces where all people can safely explore, recreate, and seek respite and restoration in nature
Trust is at the center of who we are
Our core values
These were developed by and for our staff through a collaborative process. They continue to guide our actions, behaviors, and norms each and every day.
- Service: We value service through high-quality work and bring integrity to what we do.
- Trust: We value building and maintaining the trust of the communities and people with whom we work.
- Communication: We value transparency, listening, curiosity, candor, clarity, and patience.
- Fairness: We value the equal application of practices and policies, and we serve people regardless of their status.
- Community: We strive to be supportive to each other and those we work with and demonstrate teamwork and mutual respect.
- Learning & Growth: We value growth and improvement that challenges us and fosters learning, creativity, and flexibility.
Visit Our Team
Our Team
50 people strong, we love to have fun and be out on the land. Some people bring 20 years of expertise in conservation, forestry, or ecology. Others bring new perspectives from farming, finance, or community engagement. We are many things—parents and grandparents, maple sugarers, artists, hikers, farmers, and more—and we value what makes each person unique.
Visit Employment
Employment
Grow trust every day. This intention drives our practices, whether we’re working with landowners, our federal and state partners, or one another. Curiosity and relationship are at the root of this practice. Whether your job is on the land or in the office, every person is united by a common purpose: to strengthen ties between land and lives. The work isn’t always easy, but it’s always rewarding.
Visit Our Annual Report
Our Annual Report
This past year, we conserved over 8,700 acres. This included protecting the farms that sustain us, forests and wildlife habitat, clean water and healthy soil, and ensuring that all people can benefit and enjoy the land we call home. None of this would have happened without the support of our members — thank you from all of us!
Visit Financial Info & Funders
Financial Info & Funders
We are deeply grateful for the 4,000 individuals and families who support our work—many of whom have been with us for decades. Additional funds come from state, federal, and foundation grants that help us buy land, purchase conservation easements from landowners, assist farm businesses, support clean water and healthy forests, and connect people to the outdoors in meaningful ways
