Highstead is a regional conservation non-profit based in Redding, Connecticut. We are dedicated to increasing the pace of land protection in New England and beyond through science, sound stewardship and collaboration with diverse partners.

Our Mission

Highstead’s unwavering mission has guided us from the beginning:
To inspire curiosity and build knowledge about plants and wooded landscapes in order to enhance life, preserve nature, and advance sound stewardship practices. 

We envision a healthier, more livable world for all by working with our partners to responsibly conserve the land that sustains us and to steward our natural spaces, resources, and communities thoughtfully and inclusively.

Our Vision

We embrace the Wildlands & Woodlands Farmlands & Communities vision, which calls for the conservation of 70 percent of New England as forests and 7 percent as farmlands by 2060 to ensure a thriving landscape and to support the communities that depend on it.

Highstead embraces the Wildlands & Woodlands vision because it represents the full realization of our mission in New England.

We know that conserved forests and farmland have the power to:

  • Counter the harmful effects of climate change
  • Filter the air we breathe and the water we drink
  • Provide clean, sustainable food sources
  • Support thriving local and regional economies
  • Provide open spaces for recreation, reflection, and rejuvenation
  • Nurture a diverse population of plants and wildlife

We believe that an inclusive, collaborative approach is the only way to achieve the Wildlands & Woodlands vision. We succeed when our partners achieve their goals.