Three Valley Conservation Trust
Three Valley Conservation Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust headquartered in Oxford, Ohio that protects farmland, forests, and waterways across Southwest Ohio through conservation easements, stewardship monitoring, and watershed restoration, serving private landowners, donors, and government partners in Butler, Preble, Hamilton, and Montgomery Counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersOxford, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Three Valley Conservation Trust does
Three Valley Conservation Trust (TVCT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust headquartered in Oxford, Ohio, founded in 1993 by Miami University economics professor Wallace I. Edwards. Originally incorporated as the Four Mile Valley Conservation Trust in 1994 and renamed in 2000/2001, the organization protects farmland, forests, wetlands, and waterways across Butler, Preble, Hamilton, and Montgomery Counties in Southwest Ohio through voluntary, permanent conservation and agricultural easements. As of October 2025, TVCT holds 239 active easements across 222 properties, protecting nearly 25,000 acres and 172 linear miles of riparian corridors. It is Land Trust Alliance accredited and serves as the designated local sponsor for Butler and Preble Counties in Ohio's LAEPP and NRCS ACEP-ALE programs, passing through 100% of grant funds to qualifying landowners.
TVCT's core service line consists of conservation and agricultural easements — permanent legal agreements that limit development while landowners retain ownership — paired with annual stewardship monitoring (foot inspections and drone surveillance). Beyond easements, TVCT conducts watershed planning through 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategies (NPS-IS), delivers habitat restoration projects (Henshaw Wetland, Hoffmann Wetland), maintains the Helen S. Ruder Preserve as its only directly owned property, and runs community programs including a native wildflower Seed Library and the Ruder Crew volunteer program. The technology stack is intentionally light: GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for spatial analysis and mapping, plus drone imagery for monitoring — no proprietary software platform.
The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit revenue structure: tiered memberships ($20 Student to $1,000+ Benefactor), one-time donations, planned giving/bequests, and stock gifts form the donor base; conservation easement stewardship donations (7% of easement purchase price on funded easements; sliding-scale on donated easements) cover monitoring reserves; and pass-through government grants (ODA LAEPP, NRCS ACEP-ALE, Ohio EPA Section 319, H2Ohio, Clean Ohio Greenspace, Fernald NRDF) fund landowner payments rather than TVCT overhead. Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: staff work directly with landowners through landowner interest forms and an Intent-to-Apply process, supplemented by events (Farmer's Feast, Hog Roast), partnerships with Miami University, and a network of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and MetroParks across the region.
Three Valley Conservation Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Three Valley Conservation Trust
- Legal name
- Three Valley Conservation Trust
- Website
- https://3vct.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Three Valley Conservation Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust headquartered in Oxford, Ohio that protects farmland, forests, and waterways across Southwest Ohio through conservation easements, stewardship monitoring, and watershed restoration, serving private landowners, donors, and government partners in Butler, Preble, Hamilton, and Montgomery Counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Three Valley Conservation Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Land Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Real Estate (6500)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Natural Resource Inventory & Forest/Woodland Assessments (Timber, Vegetation, Invasives) (EUAHAHAG)
Keywords
Where Three Valley Conservation Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oxford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Three Valley Conservation Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations & Memberships: Three Valley Conservation Trust is a member/contributor funded non-profit. Revenue is generated through annual membership contributions at multiple tiers ($20 Student to $1,000+ Benefactor), one-time donations, and planned gifts. Donations support general operations, the Ruder Boardwalk, and seed library initiatives.
- Conservation Easement Fees: The organization holds conservation easements on behalf of landowners. For funded easements, a stewardship donation of 7% of the easement purchase price is requested. For donated easements, landowners pay legal and recording fees plus a sliding-scale stewardship donation based on acreage. Development rights are transferred to TVCT as a charitable contribution.
- Grants & Government Programs: TVCT administers state and federal conservation funding programs including Ohio Department of Agriculture's LAEPP and NRCS ACEP-ALE, passing through 100% of funds to qualifying landowners. Additional grants come from Ohio EPA Section 319, H2Ohio, Clean Ohio Greenspace, Fernald Natural Resource Damage Funds, and other public funding sources.
- Planned Giving & Stock Gifts: The organization accepts planned gifts (bequests, charitable remainder trusts), outright gifts, and stock donations. These provide tax benefits to donors while generating long-term revenue for the Trust.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Benefactor Level membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Guardian Level membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Steward Level membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Contributor Level membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Member Level membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Student Level membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Three Valley Conservation Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Three Valley Conservation Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that acquires, holds, and monitors permanent conservation and agricultural easements on private property in Southwest Ohio, while landowners retain ownership. The Trust also conducts annual stewardship monitoring of protected properties, develops 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy watershed plans for water quality improvement, manages the Helen S. Ruder Preserve for public access, and administers pass-through state and federal conservation grant programs (ODA LAEPP, NRCS ACEP-ALE) on behalf of qualifying landowners.
Product overview
Three Valley Conservation Trust operates as a non-profit land trust offering a portfolio of land conservation services centered on conservation and agricultural easements, land stewardship, and water quality protection. The core offerings include permanent conservation easements that protect land while landowners retain ownership, annual stewardship monitoring of protected properties, and watershed planning through 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategies. The trust also maintains the Helen S. Ruder Preserve as its flagship nature preserve with public access boardwalks, operates a Seed Library Program distributing native wildflower seeds, and conducts habitat restoration projects such as the Henshaw Wetland and Hoffmann Wetland. Additional services include habitat restoration assistance connecting landowners with federal conservation programs, and the Ruder Crew volunteer program for preserve maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Conservation Easements Permanent legal agreements between landowners and TVCT that protect land while the owner retains ownership. Easements limit development rights and preserve conservation values in perpetuity, and may be purchased or donated.
- Agricultural Easements Voluntary legal agreements that limit land use to predominately agricultural activity while preserving farmland for agricultural production under private ownership, often funded through ODA LAEPP and NRCS ACEP-ALE programs.
- Land Stewardship Services Annual monitoring of easement properties to ensure conservation values are maintained according to easement terms, conducted via foot inspections and drone surveillance.
- 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategies Science-based watershed planning documents required for Ohio EPA funding eligibility, addressing water quality improvement through collaborative community-driven solutions for the Beals Run-Indian Creek and Howard Creek watersheds.
- Habitat Restoration Assistance Technical and financial assistance connecting landowners with NRCS programs (EQIP and CSP) for invasive species control, crop tree release, tree planting, and wildlife habitat development.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25,000 acres of farmland, forests, and natural habitats permanently protected; 172 linear miles of riparian corridors; 222 properties under protection.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Three Valley Conservation Trust
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Three Valley Conservation Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Three Valley Conservation Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ohio Department of AgriculturecoreTVCT serves as the local sponsor for Butler and Preble Counties for ODA's Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP). The LAEPP program contributes up to 75% of the fair market value of agricultural land easements, with a max of $2,000 per acre. TVCT prepares applications and works with landowners through the process.
- Ohio Environmental Protection AgencycoreTVCT collaborates with Ohio EPA on 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy Plans and administers Ohio EPA Section 319 grants for watershed restoration. Ohio EPA is the administering agency for Fernald Natural Resource Damage Funds that fund the Paddys Run Conservation Project. Also funder of Henshaw Wetland and Hoffmann Wetland projects.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServicecoreNRCS provides financial assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE), contributing up to 50% of the fair market value of easements. TVCT is the local sponsor. NRCS also funds cost-share programs (EQIP, CSP) for invasive plant control, tree planting, and wildlife habitat development that TVCT refers landowners to.
- Miami UniversitycoreTVCT has deep ties with Miami University: the founder was an economics professor at Miami, Executive Director Randy Evans holds degrees from Miami and teaches as adjunct instructor, staff coordinate SWOWA from Miami, and the organization regularly welcomes Miami students as interns. The Institute for Environmental Science conducted the first detailed study of Ruder Preserve in 2000.
- MetroParks of Butler CountyminorSalamander Run (125 acres) was transferred to MetroParks of Butler County in 2017. TVCT and MetroParks share conservation goals in the region and work collaboratively on land protection.
- Butler County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcoreKey local partner for conservation planning, landowner referrals, and watershed restoration projects including the Henshaw Wetland and Hoffmann Wetland.
- Preble County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcoreTVCT serves as the local sponsor for Preble County for the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture's LAEPP, working with Preble SWCD on farmland preservation.
- Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesminorODNR participates in conservation projects including the Paddys Run Conservation Project and watershed restoration. Division of Forestry provides technical assistance for woodland management on easement properties.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorListed as a conservation partner on the TVCT partners page, collaborating on wildlife habitat protection and biodiversity initiatives.
- Miami Conservancy DistrictminorPartner on the Hoffmann Wetland and Stream Restoration project and watershed protection planning. Board member Mark Rentschler also serves on the Board of Directors of the Miami Conservancy District.
- Environmental Solutions AQ, LLCcoreLocal environmental consulting company collaborating with TVCT on 9-Element NPS-IS Plan development for Beals Run-Indian Creek and Howard Creek watersheds, and wetland restoration projects (Henshaw Wetland, Hoffmann Wetland).
- Great Parks of Hamilton CountyminorListed as a conservation partner on the TVCT partners page, collaborating on regional conservation initiatives.
- Five Rivers MetroParksminorListed as a conservation partner on the TVCT partners page, collaborating on regional conservation initiatives.
- Green UmbrellaminorListed as a partner on the TVCT partners page, collaborating on regional sustainability and conservation efforts.
- Ohio Land Trust (Land Trust Alliance)coreTVCT is a Land Trust Alliance accredited organization, meeting national standards for land trust operations. The Land Trust Alliance provides training, standards, and advocacy for land trusts.
- National Wild Turkey FederationminorListed as a partner on the TVCT partners page, collaborating on wildlife habitat restoration initiatives.
- Pheasants ForeverminorListed as a partner on the TVCT partners page, collaborating on wildlife habitat restoration initiatives.
- City of Oxford, OhiominorTVCT collaborated with the City of Oxford to complete the OATS Connector Trail in 2023, linking Ruder Preserve directly to the City's recreational trail system.
- The Greater Oxford Community FoundationminorListed as a partner and funder on the TVCT partners page, supporting conservation projects in the Oxford area.
- Darke Soil and Water Conservation DistrictminorCollaborating on 9-Element NPS-IS watershed protection planning within TVCT's service area.
- Hamilton Soil and Water Conservation DistrictminorCollaborating on 9-Element NPS-IS watershed protection planning within TVCT's service area.
- Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation DistrictminorCollaborating on 9-Element NPS-IS watershed protection planning within TVCT's service area.
- Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of GovernmentsminorCollaborating on watershed protection planning and regional conservation initiatives.
- Wright State UniversityminorPartner on the Hoffmann Wetland and Stream Restoration project, contributing research and technical expertise.
- Molson CoorsminorPartner on the Molson Coors Trenton Brewery Wetlands project, contributing to water quality and wetland restoration efforts in the region.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Three Valley Conservation Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy: Northwest Michigan accredited land trust conserving natural areas and farmland through easements. Comparable: similarly sized accredited land trust with comparable easement portfolio, stewardship funding model, and donor-supported structure.
- Tecumseh Land Trust: Greene County, Ohio land trust conserving farmland and natural habitat through easements across the Miami Valley. Direct comparable: similar accredited Ohio land trust of comparable size with overlapping LAEPP and ACEP-ALE sponsor activity in adjacent counties.
- Western Reserve Land Conservancy: Northeast Ohio land trust protecting natural and agricultural lands through conservation easements. Direct comparable: same accredited land trust model, same easement and stewardship service delivery, though operating at a larger geographic and budget scale.
- Sycamore Land Trust: Southern Indiana accredited land trust protecting natural areas and farmland through conservation easements. Comparable: similar sized accredited land trust with comparable easement portfolio, watershed focus, and landowner engagement model.
- Five Valleys Land Trust: Western Montana land trust protecting open space, farmland, and wildlife habitat through conservation easements. Comparable: similarly sized accredited land trust with parallel GTM (direct landowner outreach), stewardship endowment model, and watershed-based service area.
- Little Miami Conservancy: Southwest Ohio nonprofit focused on the Little Miami River and its tributaries through land protection and watershed stewardship. Direct comparable: operates in the same Southwest Ohio region with overlapping landowner segments and conservation easement focus.
Broad incumbents
- Natural Lands: Regional conservation organization operating across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware with land protection, easement stewardship, and nature preserve operations. Comparable: same accredited land trust and conservation easement model at a larger multi-state scale, providing a useful peer for what TVCT could scale toward.
Others
- Miami Conservancy District: Southwest Ohio regional flood control and water quality agency. Comparable: TVCT board member Mark Rentschler serves on this board; partnership on the Hoffmann Wetland project demonstrates overlapping conservation and watershed mission in the same geography.
Regional players
- Great Parks of Hamilton County: Hamilton County park district covering a large portion of the Cincinnati metro area. Comparable: listed as a TVCT partner for regional conservation initiatives; serves overlapping Southwest Ohio communities with park and conservation programming.
- MetroParks of Butler County: Butler County park district managing 19+ parks and natural areas. Comparable: TVCT transferred Salamander Run (125 acres) to this entity in 2017; both pursue conservation in the same geography with overlapping partnership and community engagement missions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Three Valley Conservation Trust social profiles
Digital presenceThree Valley Conservation Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Three Valley Conservation Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Three Valley Conservation Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Three Valley Conservation Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Three Valley Conservation Trust
What does Three Valley Conservation Trust do?
Three Valley Conservation Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that acquires, holds, and monitors permanent conservation and agricultural easements on private property in Southwest Ohio, while landowners retain ownership. The Trust also conducts annual stewardship monitoring of protected properties, develops 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy watershed plans for water quality improvement, manages the Helen S. Ruder Preserve for public access, and administers pass-through state and federal conservation grant programs (ODA LAEPP, NRCS ACEP-ALE) on behalf of qualifying landowners.
Is Three Valley Conservation Trust a public or private company?
Three Valley Conservation Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Three Valley Conservation Trust founded?
Three Valley Conservation Trust was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Three Valley Conservation Trust based?
Three Valley Conservation Trust is headquartered in Oxford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Three Valley Conservation Trust make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations & Memberships are the primary driver. The others are conservation Easement Fees, grants & Government Programs and planned Giving & Stock Gifts.
Who are Three Valley Conservation Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Tecumseh Land Trust, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Sycamore Land Trust, Five Valleys Land Trust and Little Miami Conservancy. Natural Lands is listed as a broad incumbent. Miami Conservancy District is listed as an others. Regional players are Great Parks of Hamilton County and MetroParks of Butler County.
Does Three Valley Conservation Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Three Valley Conservation Trust.
What industry is Three Valley Conservation Trust in?
Three Valley Conservation Trust's product category is Land Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas, with a secondary code of AFAMAMAH, Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 6500.