A land trust is a nonprofit, voluntary organization that works hand-in-hand with landowners who want to protect their property. Land trusts use a variety of tools, such as conservation easements that permanently restrict the uses of the land, land donations, purchases and strategic estate planning, to protect America’s open spaces and green places which are increasingly threatened by sprawl and development. Local, regional and national land trusts, often staffed by volunteers, are helping communities save America’s land heritage without relying exclusively on the deep pockets of government.