The Rensselaer Land Trust is a not-for-profit land trust dedicated to the preservation of open space in Rensselaer County that has either historical significance, or agricultural value, or serves as a natural habitat. The RLT is managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors composed of people who live or work in Rensselaer County.

Our organization seeks to encourage voluntary land protection on the part of landowners and intelligent land use decisions on the part of communities in Rensselaer County. The RLT can help landowners preserve their property and can hold conservation easements, which are permanent legally binding agreements that allow landowners to specify the future uses permitted for their land. The RLT also provides information to local governments, organizations and developers about land use issues and natural resources, including geographical information system (GIS) maps. The Rensselaer Land Trust organizes a variety of programs and produces publications to inform the public about the many great resources inherent to Rensselaer County. Its popular outings program takes the public on hikes, canoe trips, visits to historical locations and other areas of interest. It publishes a guide called Natural Areas of Rensselaer County, New York which highlights many special locations in the county with maps and some historical aspects of the area. These are just a few of the many activities where the RLT is involved. If you would like to be on our email list (or mail-list for that matter) visit www.rtlc.org or call and leave your address on our answering machine. Please contact us if you would like more information about anything mentioned or if you would like to get involved in helping the RLT protect those qualities that makes Rensselaer County special.

Thanks for your interest in the Rensselaer Land Trust!

Bill Niemi
President

"The Trust is a not-for profit corporation organized exclusively for the purposes of preserving and protecting real property in Rensselaer County, property which can be shown to possess significant natural features, scenic vistas, historical or archaeological significance, open spaces, natural habitats or agricultural value; by obtaining, possessing or exercising control over these areas and making them available for public purposes, and of promoting their preservation and appropriate use."

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