America’s land is more than beautiful scenery — it is the foundation of our communities, our economy, our food supply, and our natural systems. At The Conservation Fund, we believe conservation shouldn’t be a choice between protecting nature and supporting people. Instead, we focus on solutions that advance both in harmony. 

Our work reflects a new vision for conservation: one that protects landscapes while strengthening local economies, expanding access to nature, safeguarding cultural heritage, and advancing climate resilience. By acting quickly to secure at-risk lands and working alongside communities, we help shape a future where people and nature thrive together. 

The Challenge

Across the country, communities are facing rapid change. Development pressures, climate impacts, farmland loss, and growing demands for space are reshaping landscapes at an unprecedented pace. As natural and working lands disappear or become fragmented, the benefits they provide — clean air and water, productive farmland, recreation access, and economic opportunity — are lost as well. 

At the same time, many communities are striving to maintain their local identity, cultural heritage, and economic vitality. Rural areas face pressure from land conversion and declining natural resource industries, while urban and suburban communities struggle to maintain access to green space and healthy local food. Conservation solutions must respond to these interconnected challenges by supporting both environmental health and community well-being. 

Our Approach

We take a practical, partnership-driven approach that recognizes land as a shared resource that supports people and nature. Our work focuses on: 

• Acting Quickly to Protect At-Risk Places: We move fast to secure lands facing immediate threats, ensuring landscapes remain intact for the benefit of communities and nature. 
• Partnering With Communities: Local voices shape every project. We collaborate with landowners, Tribal nations, local governments, businesses, and other nonprofits to design conservation solutions that reflect community priorities and needs. 
• Supporting Working Landscapes: Farms, forests, and other working lands sustain rural economies while delivering environmental benefits. By conserving these landscapes, we help maintain local jobs, food systems, and responsible land stewardship. 
• Advancing Climate Resilience: Protected lands store carbon, safeguard water resources, reduce flooding risks, and help communities adapt to a changing climate. 
• Expanding Access to Nature: We help create parks and ensure access to outdoor recreation spaces that improve health, strengthen community connections, and ensure more people can experience the benefits of the outdoors. 

Help Balance People & Nature

You can help support conservation solutions that advance climate resilience, economic opportunity, and healthy communities — while protecting the landscapes we all depend on.