Help shape conservation priorities for the next five years

Thank you for sharing your input in this 10-minute survey. Your responses will help us shape and refine Jefferson Land Trust’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan and ensure our work reflects the priorities and values of the East Jefferson County community.

How we use your responses:
Your feedback will be combined with responses from others and analyzed in aggregate. We do not include personally identifying information in any reports or summaries, nor do we share or sell your data.

The survey will remain open until January 5, 2026.

Before you begin, please review this brief executive summary of the draft Strategic Plan:

2026–2030 Strategic Plan – Executive Summary
Since its founding in 1989, Jefferson Land Trust has helped permanently protect almost 19,000 acres, securing vital habitat, forests, farms, and open space while raising over $45 million in conservation funding. Looking ahead, the organization is responding to major environmental, political, and technological shifts by emphasizing climate resilience, financial stability, storytelling and public engagement, equitable community inclusion, and the responsible use of technology.

Guided by its enduring mission, "helping the community to preserve open space, working lands, and habitat forever," and by newly articulated Vision and Values statements, the Land Trust commits to advancing a future of vibrant, connected, and climate-resilient ecosystems sustained by community care, reciprocity, and shared stewardship.

This five-year Strategic Plan will build upon Jefferson Land Trust’s 2010 Conservation Plan, which organizes the organization’s work around four core themes — Habitat, Forestry, Agriculture, and Community Conservation — and connects near-term objectives to a 100-year vision for Jefferson County’s lands and waters. A new fifth pillar, Organizational Health and Perpetuity, will be added to ensure the Land Trust has the financial, operational, and leadership capacity to deliver on its mission.

Jefferson Land Trust’s Strategic Priorities for the next five years are:

Habitat and Biodiversity
• Expand and connect core habitat areas
• Integrate habitat priorities into local planning
• Engage and educate the community in stewardship
• Enhance climate-resilient restoration and monitoring

Working Forests
• Expand permanent protection of working forests
• Strengthen community forestry initiatives
• Support sustainable forest products and local markets
• Integrate climate-smart forest management

Agricultural Lands
• Expand protection of working farmland
• Strengthen connections between farmers and the community
• Advance equitable and sustainable farm ownership
• Promote climate-resilient agricultural practices

Community
• Expand and connect open space and trail networks
• Enhance access and inclusion in natural areas
• Promote conservation education and public awareness
• Protect scenic and cultural landscapes

Organizational Health and Perpetuity
• Strengthen financial stability and sustainability
• Enhance staff and institutional capacity
• Foster inclusive, collaborative, and accountable governance
• Modernize systems and data tools

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