A land trust is a nonprofit organization that actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting direct land transactions—primarily through the acceptance of donations of land or land preservation agreements and on occasion through the purchase of property.

No, they are independent organizations that work with landowners who are interested in protecting open space. But land trusts often work cooperatively with government agencies by acquiring or managing land, researching open space needs and priorities, or assisting in the development of open space plans.

Land trusts are very closely tied to the communities in which they operate. Moreover, land trusts' nonprofit tax status allows them to offer a variety of tax benefits. Donations of land, land preservation agreements or money may qualify you for income, estate or gift tax savings. Moreover, because they are private organizations, land trusts can be more flexible and creative than public agencies - and can act more quickly - in saving land.

Local and regional land trusts, organized as charitable organizations under federal tax laws, are directly involved in conserving land for its natural, recreational, scenic, historical, and productive values. Working directly with willing landowners, land trusts can purchase land for permanent protection, accept donations of land or the funds to purchase land, accept bequests, or accept the donations of land preservation agreements, which permanently limit the type and scope of development that can take place on the land. In some instances, land trusts also purchase land preservation agreements or take ownership for permanent protection.