Cardinal Land Conservancy is a land conservancy in Southwest Ohio whose mission is to preserve natural habitats, waterways, agricultural lands, and open space in Southwest Ohio.
We protect and restore natural lands with significant habitats that support native wildlife and create scenic vistas for public enjoyment, as well as agricultural lands suitable for the production of food, timber, or other cultivated or natural products. Cardinal acquires conservation interests in real properties which it then monitors and stewards in perpetuity. These include conservation easements, fee simple title, and other conservation interests which are acquired through donations and purchases guided by, and executed through, Cardinal. Once obtained, Cardinal monitors and otherwise stewards the properties and interests through regular oversight, periodic assessment and, if needed, protective action and legal defense. Our service area includes the Southwestern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren.
What is a Conservation Land Trust?
A land trust is a formal organization that, at the request of the property owner, assumes ownership or control of a piece of land. The property owner must relinquish some control over land use and development in order to join a conservation land trust. A conservation land trust works to safeguard natural resources, historical or cultural places, and wildlife against development that could disturb them or cause pollution. Watch the video below to learn more about the purpose of conservation land trusts like Cardinal.
Our Story
We became one strong regional land trust that works in seven Southwest Ohio counties to preserve quality of life in the places you love.
The merger integrates our respective assets, expertise, connections and good will for greater reach and effectiveness. This model of expansion and merger of land trusts is successful in Northeast Ohio, Southern Indiana and throughout the country.
Cardinal Land Conservancy is a private, nonprofit, 501c3 tax-exempt conservation organization, incorporated in September 1999 under the laws of the state of Ohio. Cardinal is a member of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), a national organization, and Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts (COLT). Cardinal earned LTA accreditation in 2019 and uses LTA’s “Land Trust Standards and Practices” to guide our work as we grow. This accreditation confirms that Cardinal practices sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.
Our Partners
Our Land Trust Alliance
Accreditation Journey
We proudly announce that on February 27, 2019, Cardinal Land Conservancy became the fifth accredited land trust in Ohio. The Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission works with land trusts across the country to establish standards of excellence, ensuring permanence in the conservation of American lands. This follows a year of diligent effort by our Board and Staff, and years of support from our members, who have helped make us the organization we are today.
