Highstead uses science, stories, and other relevant information to support advocacy work that builds public and private support for land conservation in the region. Through these efforts, we help to harness the capacity of our partners and create scalability for permanently protected land at the municipal, state, and regional levels.
Connecticut | Photo by Amy Paterson
For over four centuries, policymakers, landowners, industry leaders, and philanthropists have worked to conserve forestland and farmland in New England. While 26 percent of New England’s forests and 12 percent of its farms have been protected for future generations, we still have a ways to go to achieve the Wildlands & Woodlands vision of 70 percent of the region as permanently protected by 2060, but the good news is that we still have a chance.
We collaborate closely with our partners and guide them in many areas including the development of communication tools, the engagement of new and unexpected partners, and the education of local, state, and federal decision-makers about why land is worth conserving. And from time to time, our staff experts are invited to contribute to local and state policy discussions on an array of topics including climate change, land use, forest management, watershed conservation, public funding.
