Definition: Land trusts are private, non-profit organizations that acquire and manage land for the purpose of permanent conservation, and steward land for public benefit. They are accountable for conservation returns instead of generating profits. By holding land or conservation easements on land with high conservation value, land trusts counter the economic model that drives poorly planned development and sprawl.

Land trusts and landowners work together to protect land. Working ranchland. Farmland. Wildlife habitat. Natural areas. Crucial watersheds. More than 1,200 land trusts work in the United States. Land trusts help educate us about different approaches to land conservation. Land trusts specialize in working with landowners to explore options other than full-scale development. In many instances, these options present the landowner with potentially significant income, estate and property tax advantages. The Southeast Arizona Land Trust brings together landowners and planning specialists to identify and implement tailor-made conservation strategies.

The National Land Trust Census
A new report issued by the Land Trust Alliance in Washington, D.C. cites record numbers of acres being conserved by private nonprofit land trusts across the U.S., with an increase of 96% nationally from 2000-2005.

• This trend proved true across Arizona as well, which reported an increase of 179% in acres conserved (68,389 acres) over the same period.
• As of 2005 there are 21 land trusts operating in Arizona, a 110% increase.
• Land trust supporters and volunteers in Arizona went up 90% to total of 5,782