Land trusts are organizations dedicated to conserving valuable lands. There are over forty land trusts in Wisconsin, protecting over 80,000 acres of lands valued for their ecological, recreational, aesthetic, agricultural, cultural, and historic characteristics. Land trusts are the fastest growing conservation movement in the country today. The success of a land trust is dependent upon good relationships with landowners. Landowners interested in preserving valuable features of their property may donate or sell property to a land trust to preserve and manage. Many landowners maintain ownership of their land, but donate a conservation easement to a land trust. Conservation easements place restrictions on the potential uses of a piece of property. For example, an easement may prohibit any further development on a property, providing a guarantee that the resources of the property will be preserved. To see a list of forty land trusts in Wisconsin, visit Gathering Waters Conservancy