Mission
North Branch Land Trust is a conservation organization focused on helping landowners conserve their property and helping communities develop smart growth strategies for the benefit of their citizens. Primarily, the Land Trust accomplishes its mission by accepting donations of development or subdivision rights on land, through a legal agreement called a conservation easement. Less frequently, the Land Trust will seek financial resources to purchase development rights on land. The Land Trust is also the receptacle for gifts of land or other real property. North Branch Land Trust relies almost exclusively on memberships, gifts and grants to accomplish its mission.
MISSION
“The North Branch Land Trust works in partnership with landowners and their communities to conserve the scenic, natural and working landscapes that sustain us.”
VISION
The North Branch Land Trust will forever strive to be a respected leader throughout the region in helping to foster sustainable communities that can maintain a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, and a better quality of life for their citizens. We will work diligently to instill a strong land stewardship ethic in partnership with private landowners, community planners, land developers, and public agencies. We recognize our self-imposed responsibility to create a better world for all and we rise to this challenge with the utmost resolve to succeed.
CORE VALUES OF THE TRUST
Although there are many important principles that guide our work, the North Branch Land Trust emphasizes the following values as core to our efforts.
- We are committed to preserving the beauty and environmental health of Pennsylvania for the benefit of future generations.
- We are committed to achieving that goal by working in collaboration with individuals, organizations, businesses, communities, and governments on all levels.
- We are committed to helping create a sustainable balance between the economic growth and the healthy, natural surroundings that sustain flourishing communities.
- We are committed to conserving the wide variety of habitats necessary for the survival of all indigenous species, including humanity, using the principles of conservation biology.
- We are committed to working at all times with the highest degree of informed, conscientious, and cutting-edge professionalism.
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
1. The most important lands in our region are conserved in perpetuity.
A. Steward the conservation values of lands protected by the Land Trust.
B. Respond to opportunities presented by landowners and conservation partners.
C. Identify and prioritize the most critical land parcels in the region for protection by the Land Trust.
D. Engage landowners of priority land to lead them to permanently conserve their properties in perpetuity.
2. The Land Trust has the capacity to meet the most pressing land conservation needs in the community.
A. Develop a strong and diverse Board of Directors.
B. Develop a stable and growing base of financial support.
C. Provide the resources and development opportunities to ensure an effective, professional staff.
D. Increase volunteer support as needed to manage programs and committees effectively.
E. Develop the organization’s technology and infrastructure, including a strong network of committees and advisors.
3. The community understands and values conservation of private and public lan
A. Broadly educate the community about the importance of land conservation.
B. Target education efforts toward policy makers, community leaders and landowner advisors.
4. The lands owned in fee by NBLT are properly stewarded in perpetuity.
A. Each fee-owned property has a management plan that is consistent with LTA Standards and Practices and the NBLT Mission and Policies.
B. Funding to steward each fee-owned property is on hand.
C. The Noxen Depot project is completed in accordance with funding requirements.
Phone: (570) 696-5545 | Fax: (570) 696-5546