Ozark Land Trust

Ozark Land Trust permanently protects and conserves land for the entire Ozark region, which includes St. Louis and extends to Northwest Arkansas. OLT protects lands in metro areas like St. Louis and rural areas where St. Louisans recreate all across the Ozark region. OLT has protected over 30,000 acres in all types of landscapes, from forests to farmlands, watersheds to prairies. We own preserves that are open to the public, and we protect private lands that could otherwise be developed.

Our motto is "Conservation Close to Home," as we believe that protected land makes a difference whether you live in a city, suburb, small town or rural environment.

Our impact is as a protector and steward of natural lands of many kinds throughout our beautiful Ozark region. Many do not know that the Ozarks extend to the St Louis metro area, and we have properties in this region and nearby that we protect. Of our over 100 protected properties, we have five protected properties along the Katy Trail alone,

OLT has two main ways it protects lands. We receive outright donations of land, which we then hold, and in many cases, turn into nature preserves for public use. We also protect lands through conservation easements, by which landowners voluntarily and permanently prohibit development on their property, ensuring their protection and enjoyment for future generations. We steward those easements to ensure compliance with their terms. OLT is a nationally accredited land trust, a designation only given to about 15 percent of land trusts in the US, and indicates compliance with rigorously established standards and practices. Conservation easements are typically donated, which can offer the landowner charitable deduction opportunities, depending on their particular status. However, if a property is in a priority area for a government agency or partner nonprofit, funds may be available for purchase of the easement as well.