Some folks pay $ 10,000 for a painting and hang it on the wall where their friends can see it, while I buy a whole mountain for that much money and it is hung by nature where everybody can see it and it is infinitely more handsome than any picture ever painted.
                —Joseph Battell, Vermont, 1839-1915

The protection of land through private dollars and investment, wildlands philanthropy, has a rich and colorful history in North America. Citizens across the continent have benefited greatly by the generosity of many individuals, families and businesses that have purchased imperiled lands and ensured permanent protection of vast landscapes through the acquisition of land, conservation easements and the transfer of land to public ownership.

No other family stands out as much as the Rockefellers whose acquisitions and donations of land helped create some of America's most spectacular National Parks and monuments in the United States including Acadia National Park in Maine and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

The most legendary example of wildlands philanthropy in the Northeast is the creation of Baxter State Park, the largest wilderness area in New England. Percival Baxter, once Governor of Maine, purchased land for years after he left public office since he was unable to do so through public means. Mr. Baxter purchased 200,000 acres, which he gifted to the State of Maine for the creation of Baxter State Park.

Wildlands Philanthropy is not a fad of the past. Northeast Wilderness Trust is working with a number of individuals interested in preserving a legacy through land acquisition and preservation of land as forever-wild.  See "Just Buy It" for more examples of wildlands philanthropists.

People of all means can participate in wildlands philanthropy through the Northeast Wilderness Trust's Wildlands Philanthropy Fund. The Northeast Wilderness Trust Wildlands Philanthropy Fund is used solely to protect forever-wild land through easements or land acquisition. All contributions are tax deductible and can be sent to:

Northeast Wilderness Trust
Wildlands Philanthropy Fund
14 Beacon Street, Suite 506
Boston, MA 02108
617-742-0628

Please make checks payable to Northeast Wilderness Trust Wildlands Philanthropy Fund and contact the Northeast Wilderness Trust with any questions.

Another way to engage in Wildlands Philantrhopy is to participate in the Northeast Wilderness Trust's Conservation Buyer Program. Please contact the Northeast Wilderness Trust's office to learn about conservation buyer options across this magnificient region.