Norwalk Land Trust

What Norwalk Land Trust does

Norwalk Land Trust is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1973 in Norwalk, Connecticut, dedicated to acquiring and preserving open space in its natural state for the benefit of local residents. The organization currently stewards 33 parcels of woodlands and open space totaling more than 110 acres — 84 acres owned directly and 25 acres held under conservation easements. Its portfolio includes named preserves such as the 16-acre Charles Irwin Schoendorf Preserve at Farm Creek, White Barn Nature Preserve, the Margaret and Steve Holton Bird Sanctuary at Hoyt Island, Mary Peatman Preserve, and the Donna Gail Preserve acquired in 2023.

The organization's value proposition centers on three pillars: perpetual land preservation, hands-on environmental education, and community stewardship. Its flagship program, the Outdoor Classroom launched in 2009, provides free field-trip-based environmental education to 4th graders from Norwalk Public Schools, with the most recent spring season serving 533 students across 7 schools. The organization is entirely volunteer-run, governed by a Board of Directors that meets monthly, and currently draws on a base of more than 300 members who support operations through annual pledges of $50 or more.

Norwalk Land Trust's revenue model is non-commercial and donor-driven, relying on membership donations, grants (including the City of Norwalk Open Space Fund and state/federal conservation sources), and land gifts/bequests. The single largest historical fundraising event was the 2006-2011 Campaign for Farm Creek Preserve, which raised more than $4.3 million from 900+ households and multiple government and institutional partners. The organization operates exclusively within Norwalk, CT, and is embedded in a broader network of regional land trusts and national conservation organizations. In 2024-2025, Norwalk Land Trust announced a strategic merger with Aspetuck Land Trust, one of Connecticut's largest regional conservation organizations, to expand resources and ensure long-term sustainability.

Name

Norwalk Land Trust

Legal name

Norwalk Land Trust

Website

https://norwalklandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Norwalk Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1973 that preserves open space in Norwalk, Connecticut, stewarding 33 parcels totaling 110+ acres. The all-volunteer, membership-driven organization delivers land conservation, environmental education, and community stewardship programs to local residents and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Nature preserve stewardship
• Environmental education programs
• Conservation easement management
• Wildlife habitat protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwalk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Membership Donations: The organization is entirely membership-driven, relying on annual membership donations from supporters. Membership is open to all supporters who pledge $50 or more, with over 300 current members.
2. Grants: The Norwalk Land Trust receives funding through grants from various conservation and environmental organizations, as well as government sources including the City of Norwalk's Open Space Fund.
3. Land Donations and Bequests: The organization acquires land through gifts, conservation easements, and bequests. The Donna Gail Preserve was acquired through a bequest from the Donna Gail Estate.
4. General Donations: The organization accepts general non-membership donations from supporters who wish to contribute to land preservation efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Norwalk Land Trust acquires land and preserves it in its natural state for the benefit of Norwalk, CT residents now and forever. It currently stewards 33 parcels of woodlands and open space totaling just over 110 acres (84 acres owned directly, 25 acres held via conservation easement), and promotes understanding of protected areas through environmental education programs such as the Outdoor Classroom for fourth graders, plus an Environmental Lecture Series and volunteer-driven trail stewardship.

Product overview

Norwalk Land Trust is a single-entity non-profit organization offering land preservation and conservation services. The core offering is the acquisition and stewardship of natural land (33 parcels totaling over 110 acres), supplemented by environmental education programs (Outdoor Classroom for 4th Graders), volunteer trail maintenance programs, and community engagement through partnerships. The organization manages multiple named nature preserves including Charles Irwin Schoendorf Preserve at Farm Creek, White Barn Nature Preserve, The Margaret and Steve Holton Bird Sanctuary at Hoyt Island, Mary Peatman Preserve, and Donna Gail Preserve. The organization is entirely volunteer-run and membership-driven.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Preservation Services Core conservation service: acquires land and preserves it in its natural state in Norwalk, CT through gifts, conservation easements, and purchase; currently stewards 33 parcels totaling over 110 acres (84 acres owned, 25 acres held via conservation easement). Also advises private landowners on land preservation techniques and benefits.
• Charles Irwin Schoendorf Preserve at Farm Creek A 16-acre nature preserve at 34 Sammis Street, Norwalk, CT 06853, comprising four properties (Langdon Property, Schoendorf Preserve, Hart Peninsula, and Kulze Property) with tidal estuary, wooded glens, and open meadows. Houses the Stone Barn (built 1907) with educational exhibits and stewardship equipment, open to the public dawn to dusk, and serves as the venue for the Outdoor Classroom program.
• White Barn Nature Preserve A 5.6-acre protected open space on Newtown Avenue in the Cranbury section of Norwalk, secured in 2008. Originally the historic White Barn Theatre property of actress and producer Lucille Lortel, it is protected under conservation easements held jointly by Norwalk Land Trust, the City of Norwalk, and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
• The Margaret and Steve Holton Bird Sanctuary at Hoyt Island A 3-acre bird sanctuary at the mouth of Village Creek in South Norwalk, originally donated in 1979 by Countess Elinor Czapski and cleaned of toxic contaminants and replanted with more than 100 trees in October 2023. Not open to the public to encourage nesting.
• Mary Peatman Preserve A 4-acre nature preserve at 16 Birchside Drive in Norwalk, donated in 2017. A former equestrian facility converted into a nature preserve featuring a pollinator-friendly meadow, successional forest community, and walking paths used for community recreation and education.
• Donna Gail Preserve A 6.73-acre preserve acquired in summer 2023 on Stephen Mather Road, funded by a bequest from the Donna Gail Estate and a grant from the City of Norwalk's Open Space Fund. Located in the Five Mile River riparian corridor, providing wildlife refugia and water quality protection with a planned trail system, situated near a green corridor that connects to the Darien Land Trust's Stephen Mather Homestead and Mather Meadows.
• Outdoor Classroom for 4th Graders Free environmental education program at Farm Creek Preserve providing class presentations and field trips for 4th graders from Norwalk Public Schools. Since 2009, trained volunteer field guides take groups of 5-7 children on 1-hour walks exploring wetlands, highlands, and open meadows; the program includes free bus transportation funded by donors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33 parcels of open space (110+ acres) preserved in perpetuity for Norwalk residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aspetuck Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic merger partner announced in 2024. Under the agreement, Norwalk Land Trust will become part of Aspetuck Land Trust, one of Connecticut's largest and most accomplished regional conservation organizations. This merger expands resources, expertise, and capacity to protect and care for Norwalk's open spaces for generations to come.
• Darien Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal land trust organization serving Darien, CT. The Donna Gail Preserve is situated close to the 7.1 acres owned by the Stephen Mather Homestead and the 13.8-acre Mather Meadows owned and stewarded by Darien Land Trust, creating a significant green corridor.
• Greenwich Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional land trust organization serving Greenwich, CT, part of the network of land conservation organizations in southwestern Connecticut.
• New Canaan Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional land trust organization serving New Canaan, CT, part of the network of land conservation organizations in the area.
• Wilton Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional land trust organization serving Wilton, CT, part of the network of land conservation organizations.
• EarthplaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal environmental organization providing resources and information related to land preservation and environmental protection.
• Norwalk River Watershed AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization focused on protecting and preserving the Norwalk River watershed, aligning with the Land Trust's conservation mission.
• Norwalk Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal garden club partnered on projects including the Alternative Nature Lawn Demonstration at Oak Hills Park.
• Norwalk Tree AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization focused on tree conservation and urban forestry in Norwalk.
• Pollinator PathwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting pollinator conservation. The Farm Creek Preserve is on the Pollinator Pathway for Norwalk CT, attracting Monarch Butterflies and pollinators.
• Rowayton GardenersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal garden organization in the Rowayton section of Norwalk, part of the green partner network.
• Wildlife in CrisisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization serving the Norwalk area.
• Connecticut Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level organization focused on bird conservation and environmental education, sharing resources with the Land Trust's bird sanctuary efforts.
• Connecticut Land Conservation CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState organization supporting land conservation efforts across Connecticut, providing resources and advocacy for land trusts.
• Conservation Fund of Arlington, VAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational conservation organization that assisted with the $4.3 million Campaign for Farm Creek Preserve, providing fundraising expertise and resources.
• Cornell Lab of OrnithologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization focused on ornithology and bird conservation, providing educational resources and expertise for bird sanctuary initiatives.
• Land Trust AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting land trusts across the country with resources, advocacy, and best practices.
• National Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational bird conservation organization providing resources for the Land Trust's bird sanctuary and habitat protection programs.
• National Fish and Wildlife FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting conservation of fish and wildlife habitats, aligned with the Land Trust's preservation mission.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational conservation organization that originally acquired the Kulze Property and Langdon Trail properties in 1992, which were then transferred to the Norwalk Land Trust. Major conservation partner.
• Trust for Public LandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization working to create parks and protect land for public use, aligned with the Land Trust's mission.
• Xerces SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization focused on invertebrate conservation, supporting pollinator protection efforts at Farm Creek Preserve.
• City of NorwalkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner. The Hart Peninsula was acquired via conservation easement from the City of Norwalk in 2007. The City also provided funding through its Open Space Fund for the Donna Gail Preserve acquisition.
• State of Connecticut - DEEPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that assisted with the Campaign for Farm Creek Preserve and holds conservation easements on properties like White Barn Preserve.
• Garavel SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership announced in 2024. Garavel Subaru selected Norwalk Land Trust as a community partner and presented a check donation to support conservation efforts.
• Durham Bus CompanyminorOthersBus company providing free transportation services for 4th grade field trips to Farm Creek Preserve, funded by generous donors.
• Tuliptree Site Design Inc.minorOthersNorwalk-based company whose owner, Mike Mushak, dedicated his time designing the trail layout at Mary Peatman Preserve as well as prepping the planted meadow area and leading volunteer teams.
• A&A Lawn ServiceminorOthersLocal business owner Abel Amaya opened up the Mary Peatman Preserve by removing fencing, supplied wood chips, and provided the use of wheelbarrows and additional tools for trail building.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NorwalkLandTrust
• Xx.com/nltlandtrust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norwalk Land Trust