Preserving the lands and waters you love!
About NWLT
Our Mission
Preserve land to protect water
Our Vision
Our unique region will have clean and resilient lakes, rivers, wetlands, and forests that support a diversity of fish and wildlife. We will leave this legacy for future generations by working with an engaged community and a diversity of conservation partners.
Our Values
Integrity and Excellence
We will meet the highest ethical and professional standards. We will be honest, accountable and earn trust by building collaborative relationships, being competent, and following through on all commitments.
Stewardship
Develop, analyze and use the best available conservation science to set priorities, make decisions, take action and measure results. We will conduct our business in an environmentally sensitive manner and use our local knowledge and creative approach to result in maximum positive conservation outcomes.
Inclusiveness, Collaboration, Teamwork and Diversity
We believe that enduring conservation success depends on the active involvement of people and partners whose lives and cultures are linked to natural systems we seek to conserve. We believe conservation is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of diverse back-grounds, beliefs, and cultures. We work collaboratively with all sectors of society. We respect a variety of viewpoints and diversity of thought. We work in an environment that encourages each of us to achieve our potential and values the contribution of all.
Our Team & Leadership
Our Team
Northern Waters Land Trust has a team of professionals who specialize in land protection, community engagement, and collaboration. NWLT staff work closely with the board of directors, committees, partner organizations, and community members to protect our lands and waters.
Our Board
Northern Waters Land Trust is managed by an actively engaged team of volunteer Board of Directors members who serve 3-year terms. Board members come from various backgrounds, and all have a desire to preserve some of the most biologically significant lands and waters in Minnesota. Board roles include organizational governance, providing insight on the projects NWLT is working on, public speaking, fundraising, and outreach.
Effective Conservation Requires Strategic Planning
Our Strategic Plan
Implementation of a strategic plan hinges on the strength and resilience of the organization behind it.
At Northern Waters Land Trust we have shared leadership, responsibility, and commitment to growth and diversification. We aim to be adaptable and tackle challenges in ways that lay the groundwork for enduring conservation efforts. View the strategic plan our website.
Overview
Northern Waters Land Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the natural environment in northern Minnesota. We protect land to preserve water quality, wildlife habitats, and scenic landscapes.
Operating across a vast area with 6 major watersheds, we work to safeguard the natural resources in a region that contains over 2,000 lakes and more than 3,400 miles of rivers. This region is also home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River which provides drinking water for communities downstream including St. Cloud and the Twin Cities.
We collaborate with landowners, government agencies, sovereign nations, and other organizations on donations, conservation easements, and partnerships to protect the lands and waters of the region. Our work is vital in sustaining local communities driven by tourism, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. We strive to balance growth with the protection of natural resources to preserve the region's heritage for current and future generations.
Our Methods of Conservation
We work with landowners, lake associations, government agencies, civic groups, and other nonprofits to conserve forestland, wildlife habitat, shorelines, water resources, and scenic vistas in the heart of Minnesota's lakes area.
Conservation Easements
NWLT works with landowners to help them place conservation easements on their land to ensure it is protected into the future.
Community Outreach
Through educational outreach efforts, NWLT works with community members to understand how we each have a role in protecting our water resources.
Land Sales/Donations
NWLT helps families meet their conservation goals through the conveyance of land to government agencies for long-term protection and management.
Background
Where We Work
Northern Waters Land Trust works in the watersheds of north central Minnesota. Learn more >
Our Programs
NWLT has several conservation programs to help you protect the lands and waters of northern Minnesota. We also offer a variety of educational programming. Learn more >
Our History
Formerly the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, the organization has expanded to protect water quality in lakes and rivers, and fish and wildlife habitat throughout the region. In 2018, the name was changed to Northern Waters Land Trust.
Accreditation
Northern Waters Land Trust is an accredited land trust through the Land Trust Alliance accreditation process. Learn more >
Our Committees
Land Conservation Committee
The Conservation Committee oversees and implements the organizations’ land conservation work in accordance with its mission, strategic plan, and all current land transaction and corporation policies.
Development & Outreach Committee
The Development & Outreach Committee organizes educational workshops, engages in community outreach, and oversees fundraising for the organization.
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee is a group of experts, who identify land protection projects and advise advise on scoring methodology.
What is a land trust?
Land trusts are closely tied to the communities they protect and are involved in conserving land for its natural features and resources, as well as historical, cultural, scenic, and recreational values. Land trusts are organized at the local, regional, and state level and receive their funding primarily from charitable contributions and sometimes from state and federal initiatives.
They preserve land by purchasing it, transferring it, accepting donations of land or funds to purchase the land, or accepting the donation of a conservation easement. In instances, they may purchase the easement. Often, land trusts work collaboratively with other local conservation organizations to preserve properties that have significant conservation value.
Northern Waters Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an accredited Land Trust.
Contributions are tax-deductible.