Highstead is a regional conservation and ecological stewardship 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 and Vision

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 to bring people and science together to responsibly conserve the land that sustains us and to steward our natural spaces, resources, and communities thoughtfully and inclusively.

Our vision aligns with 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.

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 succeed. We succeed when our partners achieve their goals.