Who We Are
Who We Are
NALT is a Partner for Life
In 1992 Andrew L. Johnson and a small group of professionals established North American Land Trust (NALT) with the primary purpose of preserving and managing open space with ecological, agricultural or historical significance.
With roots in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, we have an established focus area right here in Chester County, one that we are continually growing with the help of our dedicated landowners and partners, and our first public preserve, Brinton Run Preserve. Our reach extends across the United States and continues to grow every year.
Our History
1992
The Beginning
North American Land Trust is founded by Andrew Johnson
1995
Knight's Island Preserve
NALT permanently conserves a 250-acre wildlife preserve in Cecil County, Maryland following 10 years of ecological study. The preserve was acquired by NALT in 2001 and its diverse natural resources and sensitive habitats continue to be responsibly managed to this day. Read More
1998
Mountain Cove Focus Area
This area of the TAG (Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia) region becomes a focus area for NALT and remains one of our most important conservation efforts to date, with over 4,000 acres of scenic vistas, unique ecology and historical significance preserved between Lookout and Pigeon Mountains in Georgia.
Read More
1999
Shaffer House
Dr. Mead Shaffer of the Bethel Township Preservation Society enlists NALT to help conserve an historic Penn Plan style House from 1683 that was originally set to be demolished in the densely populated area of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Read More
2000
Balsam Mountain Preserve
NALT teams up with a group of environmental scientists and land planning professionals to design a modest, sustainable low impact residential community protecting the most significant natural resources inside a 4,400 acre preserve, found in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. The Balsam Mountain Trust was created to ensure long-term stewardship and protection of the preserve.
Read More
2000
Chesapeake Bay Focus Area
NALT works with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service and multiple landowners to complete several conservation easements on the eastern shore of Maryland in an attempt to preserve vital habitat for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel which was officially delisted from the Federal Endangered Species List in 2015.
Read More
2001
Richland Trust, Inc.
The establishment of NALT’s inaugural 509 (a)(3) supporting organization, organized specifically to support and benefit NALT by performing activities in western North Carolina that support NALT’s public conservation mission.
Read More
2002
Lake Toxaway
A development company utilizes a limited development approach, using NALT’s help through 2007 to preserve sensitive landscape features and protect pristine ridges and watershed areas while creating financial incentives for conservation buyers in the mountains of western North Carolina.
2003
Big Bend
1,200+ acres are permanently conserved in Sullivan County, New York thanks to a private landowner and her relatives, thereby protecting major lands surrounding the Neversink Reservoir, a resource of critical importance to New York City’s water supply.
2007
Bridge Preserve
Dingman Township of Pike County, Pennsylvania teams up with NALT to realize the dreams of one beloved and generous man by turning his bequeathed 300 acres into a natural park with scenic trails and an official ADA trail for the community.
Read More
2007
East Bradford Township Focus Area
Collaborating with East Bradford Township of Chester County, Pennsylvania, NALT conserves 13 municipally owned properties used as recreational open space for the community.
Read More
2014
Lookout Mountain Focus Area
Altogether the Lookout Mountain Focus Area permanently protects almost 1,800 acres of contiguous native forest and open space straddling the Cherokee/ Etowah County line in northeast Alabama and is in addition to our existing Mountain Cove Focus Area in the TAG region.
Read More
2014
Myrtle Beach Focus Area
NALT works with EcoVest Capital, a real estate investment company, to save more than 1,500 acres of vulnerable, coastal open space in the one of the most densely populated and fastest growing areas: Horry County, South Carolina.
Read More
2017
Santa Susana Field Laboratory
Thanks to the vision and generosity of The Boeing Company, NALT works together to conserve nearly 2,400 acres of the Santa Susana site located in Ventura County, California, protecting the natural habitat of the Santa Monica Mountains mountain lion population.
Read More
2021
Brinton Run Preserve Acquired
NALT acquires what will be its first public preserve, Brinton Run Preserve.
2021
Brinton Run Preserve Opened to the Public
Brinton Run Preserve is offically opened to the public after a year of preparation.
2025
1755 Preserve Acquired
NALT acquires what will be its second public preserve in 1755 Preserve, a property in the heart of Chadds Ford.
Our Vision
The Vision of North American Land Trust is to establish strategic partnerships, creatively engage the community, and promote innovative solutions to permanently conserve and steward land.
We work with individuals all over the country to conserve the land that is special to them, ensuring that the natural features, scenic beauty and important ecosystems found in this country are protected forever, one acre at a time. Through our strategic conservation planning we offer solutions that are both visionary and pragmatic for achieving our conservation partner’s goals.