About Land Trusts
Document Actions
Three Rivers is part of a nationwide land trust movement. Here are some facts about land trusts and why this work is important.
What is a land trust?
What is a land trust?
A land trust has been defined as a nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easement.
Why conserve land?
Conserving land means sustaining the environment that sustains ourselves.
Tens of thousands of acres of important natural lands keep our water clean, our air clear, and give us a connection to nature. The majority of these valuable natural lands are owned by private individuals and businesses. These lands are being urbanized at an alarming rate.
In order to sustain the natural environment, Three Rivers developed a strategy to conserve key lands. We met with many groups, reviewed many scientific documents and developed our Conservation Strategies Plan. We identified and prioritized some of the most valuable and threatened land in our Three Rivers region (the watersheds of the lower Willamette, Tualatin and Clackamas Rivers).
This plan relies on private landowner involvement. Three Rivers works with these private landowners to conserve the important public values that still exist on their land. By conserving these lands, we can ensure the quality of life of people in Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties now and for future generations.
Tens of thousands of acres of important natural lands keep our water clean, our air clear, and give us a connection to nature. The majority of these valuable natural lands are owned by private individuals and businesses. These lands are being urbanized at an alarming rate.
In order to sustain the natural environment, Three Rivers developed a strategy to conserve key lands. We met with many groups, reviewed many scientific documents and developed our Conservation Strategies Plan. We identified and prioritized some of the most valuable and threatened land in our Three Rivers region (the watersheds of the lower Willamette, Tualatin and Clackamas Rivers).
This plan relies on private landowner involvement. Three Rivers works with these private landowners to conserve the important public values that still exist on their land. By conserving these lands, we can ensure the quality of life of people in Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties now and for future generations.
What tools do land trusts use?
Land trusts use a variety of tools to conserve land. The two most commonly used are the purchase or acceptance of donations of land and the purchase or acceptance of donations of conservation easements, also called land conservation agreements.
What is a conservation easement/agreement?
What is a conservation easement/agreement?
A conservation agreement, also called a conservation easement, is a legal agreement that permanently restricts the development or use of land to ensure the protection of its conservation values. Click here for more information on conservation agreements.
What is stewardship?
What is stewardship?
Stewardship means taking care of the land.
An important component of conserving land is taking care of the land. If we don't care for these lands, they frequently stop keeping our air clean, our water clear and nature close to home.
There are a variety of ways that natural lands can degrade:
- Neighbors may cut habitat trees,
- People sometimes dump yard debris introducing harmful varieties of plants and insects.
- Frequently, and perhaps most devastating, invasive plant species take over the property and the native plants die. These native plants are home to Northwest wildlife. The invasive plants dominate and take over a natural area. Then, our native birds and wildlife, not usually adapted to these strange plants or animals, cannot compete and die.
The Three Rivers Stewardship Program strives to ensure that the natural values on our properties continue to thrive.
The Stewardship Program can provide a great avenue for your involvement in Three Rivers. Frequent restoration events are held. You can learn a lot just by attending one of our restoration work parties.
Here are some interesting facts about land trusts nationwide:
- Land trusts in the United States have conserved over 37 million acres of land.
- There are over 1,667 land trusts nationwide.
- The first land trust was formed in 1898.
- The federal internal revenue code first recognized conservation easements in 1981.
- The national group Land Trust Alliance has a website that allows you to find a land trust anywhere in the United States from among its member list. Visit www.lta.org.
- There are at least 16 land trusts in Oregon. See our links page for their websites.