our strategic plan
Entitled “Thriving Nature. Thriving Communities. Thriving Organization,” Natural Lands’ strategic plan will serve as our guide star through 2030.
meeting the challenge
This strategic plan is rooted in our already considerable strengths as an organization and our track record of success over decades. It also acknowledges the significant challenges that our natural world, the communities of our region, and our organization face, including:
- a changing climate that threatens both ecosystems and communities;
- persistent development pressure that leads to loss of open spaces that are essential
to the health of the planet and the wellbeing of people; - a dramatic decrease in the diversity of wildlife and habitats; and
- communities that lack access to trails, parks, and the natural spaces that bring us together.
This plan calls us to focus—to identify the program investments that have the greatest potential to build a healthy, resilient region for everyone; we must innovate in ways that enhance the impact of our efforts; and we must act boldly to make our vision a reality.
As we pursue the goals below, we look to the future with devotion to our mission and
commitment to continued growth in our organization and the impact we will make. In essence, to thriving together in the years ahead.
goal 1: save
Conserve open spaces with willing communities and landowners to ensure the natural vitality, resilience, and ecological health of the region.
strategies:
- Protect priority landscapes that provide multiple conservation benefits to people and nature,
using the full complement of Natural Lands’ conservation tools. - Protect special places that provide conservation benefit and/or cultural significance to the community.
- Support efforts that strengthen nature footholds in nature-deprived communities.
goal 2: care
Steward lands to ensure their conservation value, public benefits, and climate resilience for the future.
strategies:
- Steward our portfolio of regional nature preserves and Stoneleigh: a natural garden (our properties) to improve their ecological function and conservation values and build their ecological resilience.
- Steward our properties to provide outstanding experiences in nature, opportunities for learning, and conservation that benefits people.
- Partner with landowners to improve land and easement stewardship of properties under Natural Lands conservation easement.
goal 3: connect
Connect people to nature for the benefit of both.
strategies:
- Build relationships with a variety of communities that have traditionally benefitted less from conservation to support their conservation needs and priorities.
- Promote inclusive opportunities to experience the wonders of nature at our properties, serving constituents from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.
- At our properties and beyond, encourage learning for children and adults through partnerships and programming.
goal 4: support
Support communities to plan and manage their outdoor spaces sustainably.
strategies:
- Promote public investment in conservation and long-term stewardship of protected lands.
- Engage in other public issues and initiatives—such as attainably priced housing—to ensure conservation is part of important community solutions.
goal 5: excel
Ensure organizational excellence and community-building are at the heart of Natural Lands.
strategies:
- Foster an engaged leadership—including our Board of Trustees, President’s Council, and NextGen Council—that represents the communities we serve and Natural Lands’ priorities for the future.
- Attract and retain a diverse, engaged staff driven by strong performance and healthy organizational culture.
- Engage motivated volunteers—including through Force of Nature, Stoneleigh Ambassador, and other programs—to extend the capacity and strengthen the energy of the organization.
- Advance our strategic priorities and ensure organizational sustainability through a commitment to fiscal responsibility and ambitious fundraising.
- Develop systems and facilities to support the organization.