Green sketch of a forest next to a hill and pond.

HOW WE WORK

We identify lands to protect using the best available science. We commit to keeping these places forever-wild—ruled by the laws of nature rather than people.

Forever-wild conservation
is about freedom…

…for wildlife and the natural evolution of the landscape. Wilderness offers land the opportunity to heal and rewild, often after centuries of hard use. In a wild landscape, trees grow old and store massive amounts of carbon. Trees also fall and remain in place, providing shelter to diverse species and adding richness back into forest soils. 

On forever-wild land, management is minimal to non-existent. Light restoration may occur at the beginning phases of conservation. Recreation, when permitted, is limited to quiet enjoyment of the land without any motors or mechanization. There is no timber harvesting, in perpetuity.

The many gifts offered by untamed forests inevitably spill over into the human world. People receive pristine water, birdsong, fresh air, spring flowers, dark nighttime skies, snowy tracks, and quiet places to escape the clamor of everyday life. Stepping into the wild, we can feel that land does not belong to us, but that we belong to the land.

The Wilderness Trust uses two main tools
to protect land…

…conservation easements (also known as conservation restrictions) and fee land ownership. The Wilderness Trust accepts donations of land and easements and in some cases acquires land through a bargain-sale or outright purchase.  

The Wilderness Trust also often partners with other land trusts to add forever-wild protections to properties they own. Our Wildlands Partnership offers land trusts an easy, revenue-generating option to pursue forever-wild conservation in conjunction with Wild CarbonTM credits.

Conservation projects take time, effort, and resources. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact Northeast Wilderness Trust early in the process of developing a conservation plan. Depending on the situation, transaction due diligence may include surveys, appraisal, title searches, and environmental assessments. Site visits are needed for baseline documentation, and a management plan may be required. 

To protect your property as wilderness with Northeast Wilderness Trust, please call Bob Linck, Conservation Director at 802.224.1000 ext. 104 or send him an email

New Report on Wildlands in New England

The new report Wildlands in New England: Past, Present, and Future is the first study of its kind to map and characterize all forever-wild lands in the Northeast. It is an urgent call-to-action to advance and accelerate Wildlands conservation. The study shows clear action steps to protect forever-wild land that is vital for carbon storage, biodiversity, ecological resilience, and the health of the people and wildlife that call New England home.

Green sketch of a deer.

SAVE THIS LAND

Help make new wilderness a reality in your backyard! We are fundraising to protect and rewild these special places right now. Your support will secure and safeguard forever-homes for wildlife and nature.

Moriah Wilderness Preserve

Moriah Wilderness Preserve

Great Oaks Wilderness Sanctuary

Great Oaks Wilderness Sanctuary

Elmore Branch Addition

Elmore Branch Addition

Bear’s Nest Wilderness Preserve

Bear’s Nest Wilderness Preserve

Climate Change & Wilderness

Right here in the Northeast, we can make a difference for the future of our climate and environment simply by allowing more forests to capture and store their full potential of carbon. At this critical moment of climate chaos, protecting wildlands—now—is a courageous act of hope.

Wildlands Partnership

Northeast Wilderness Trust is working to dramatically accelerate the pace of regional wilderness conservation through our Wildlands Partnership. Partner land trusts receive funding to protect land as forever-wild, and may enroll wildlands in the carbon market through the Partnership to receive additional, unrestricted income with little risk.

Wildlands Partnership

Northeast Wilderness Trust aims to dramatically accelerate the pace of regional wilderness conservation through our Wildlands Partnership. Through the Partnership, land trusts receive funding to protect land as forever-wild, and may enroll that land in the carbon market to receive additional, periodic income.