Greenbelt Land Trust of Mid-Missouri

The mission of Greenbelt Land Trust is to conserve for present and future generations the woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and farmlands that represent Mid-Missouri's distinctive landscape.

We carry out this mission in a very powerful yet very cost-effective way, by providing completely voluntary land conservation options to area landowners whose properties feature outstanding examples of natural land formations, waterways, flora and fauna habitats, or sustainable farming practices. These conservation options include accepting donations of perpetual conservation easements on privately-owned land, as well as occasionally accepting outright donations of land to be used as Greenbelt-owned nature preserves.

Much of this conservation work has focused on Mid-Missouri's wild lands -- the region's dramatic river valleys, limestone bluffs and karst formations, remnant prairies, stream courses, fens, and forests. But we also prioritize protecting the region's legacy of working lands -- not only through the use of agricultural conservation easements but also through direct assistance to area farmers, by helping to connect small-scale producers with the local food system and by helping to connect retiring farmers seeking successors with aspiring young farmers seeking access to affordable farmland.

Greenbelt has been especially active over the past few years. Since the beginning of 2022, we have achieved formal accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission; we have brought on additional staff to support our Working Lands Initiative; and we have doubled our portfolio of permanently protected properties, from 761 total acres at the beginning of 2022 to a new total of 1,539 acres today. We are working to build on this momentum by closing on a new conservation easement protecting an additional 156 acres before the end of this year, and we expect to continue this strong momentum into 2026 and beyond, with many planned new conservation easement projects in the pipeline.

We greatly appreciate your interest and your support to help make this progress possible -- we can't do what we do without you!