What is a
Land Trust?
A land trust – like the North Georgia Land Trust – is a community based, nonprofit organization that works to permanently conserve greenspace. In most cases, land trusts work with willing landowners who wish to donate their land. Land trusts also partner with landowners using a tool called a conservation agreement (also known as conservation easement) to voluntarily give up specified property development rights while retaining full ownership. Land trusts also manage or restore land once it has been conserved. In any case, it is forever.
LOCAL.
The North Georgia Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit with the sole purpose to permanently conserve land and create greenspace throughout the region.
Established in 2023, the formation of the trust comes at a pivotal time as commercial and residential growth sweeps across our region. While economic development enriches lives, we believe the land trust provides a positive path toward creating a healthy balance for our community.
VOLUNTARY.
The North Georgia Land Trust partners directly with willing, private landowners who are passionate about their land and want to see it preserved — forever. For many, the land’s monetary value is less important than its family legacy, its raw beauty and emotional attachment. It’s where generations have hunted and fished, children have connected with nature, and families have come together.
FOREVER.
In many cases, an owner simply donates their property to the North Georgia Land Trust, which takes on the responsibility of management and preservation. In other cases, owners use a tool called a conservation agreement/easement (while retaining ownership) to have limited use for a home, hunting, fishing, farming, or hiking trails — often for substantial tax benefits.
In all cases, it is forever. And forever is a long time.