Great Land Trust

What Great Land Trust does

Great Land Trust (GLT) is a nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1995 and headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, that protects wetlands, wildlife habitat, salmon streams, and public access to natural areas across Southcentral Alaska. It serves a diversified set of counterparties including private landowners seeking to permanently conserve family lands, government agencies and municipalities expanding parks and trail networks, developers needing Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland mitigation credits, Alaska Native Corporations protecting ecologically and culturally significant lands, and individual donors supporting conservation through gifts, bequests, and planned giving. The organization operates across a service area of more than 33,444 square miles covering more than half of Alaska's population, is governed as an independent 501(c)(3) with approximately eight staff, and is led by Executive Director Ellen Kazary, who has held the role since 2016.

GLT's core offerings are conservation easements (perpetual, legally binding restrictions that run with the land), fee-simple land acquisitions that are typically transferred to public agencies or Alaska Native corporations for long-term stewardship, and an In-Lieu Fee (ILF) compensatory wetland mitigation program operated under a formal agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Alaska District since 1998 (updated in 2011 under the Corps' 2008 Mitigation Rule). The organization uses a GIS-based prioritization system to rank parcels based on ecological and community factors such as wetland type and function, fish and wildlife habitat, land status, and threat of conversion. It became the first land trust in Alaska to achieve national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2012. Recent flagship transactions include the $6 million Potter Marsh Watershed Park partnership with the Municipality of Anchorage (300 acres, closed 2024), the 270-acre O'Brien Creek conservation with the Knik Tribe (2025), the 147-acre Stewart Trail Connection into Chugach State Park (2025), and the Eagle River Greenbelt Trail inholding acquisition announced in 2026.

GLT's revenue mechanics are diversified and project-driven rather than recurring. Sources include individual donations and planned giving (via the Legacy Circle program and bequests), government and foundation grants, conservation easement and land transaction activity, and the wetland mitigation ILF program, which alone has directed over $3 million to wetland conservation since 1998. The organization does not use traditional sales channels; instead, it engages landowners directly through a landowner resources program offering donation, sale, bargain-sale, or bequest options, and collaborates with public agencies, tribal entities, and Native corporations on multi-stakeholder conservation transactions. Financial statements are filed annually on IRS Form 990 and reviewed by an external accounting firm.

Name

Great Land Trust

Legal name

Great Land Trust Inc.

Website

https://greatlandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Great Land Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1995 in Anchorage, Alaska, that protects wetlands, wildlife habitat, salmon streams, and public access to natural areas in Southcentral Alaska through conservation easements, land acquisitions, and a federally sanctioned wetland mitigation program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Land Conservation Services
• Wetland Mitigation
• Conservation Easements
• Habitat Preservation
• Public Access Trails

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Conservation Easement Transactions: Revenue from conservation easement sales and donations. Landowners can sell or donate conservation easements, with bargain sales allowing sale at less than full appraised value for tax benefits. GLT also purchases easements using funds raised from various sources.
2. Individual Donations and Planned Giving: Revenue from individual donors including bequests, stock donations, real estate gifts, and contributions to the Legacy Circle planned giving program. Donors can contribute through various mechanisms including DAFs, IRA beneficiary designations, and Fred Meyer Rewards.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from public sources including grants from government agencies and private foundations for specific conservation projects.
4. Wetland Mitigation In-Lieu Fees: Under agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, GLT operates an In-Lieu Fee (ILF) mitigation program. Developers pay fees to GLT to fulfill wetland mitigation requirements, and GLT uses those fees to purchase important wetlands for conservation. Since 1998, over $3 million spent on wetland conservation through this program.
5. Conservation Financing: Low-interest loans and liquidity from conservation financers to enable quick action when properties become available for purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Great Land Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization that protects wetlands, wildlife habitat, and public access lands in Southcentral Alaska by working with willing private landowners, government agencies, Alaska Native Corporations, and developers. It delivers conservation through conservation easements (permanent legal restrictions held in perpetuity), outright land acquisitions, perpetual stewardship and annual monitoring of conserved properties, and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers In-Lieu Fee wetland mitigation program that allows developers to satisfy Section 404 obligations while GLT uses proceeds to permanently conserve ecologically valuable wetlands. GLT also runs a Legacy Circle planned giving program and uses GIS-based prioritization mapping to identify priority parcels for outreach.

Product overview

Great Land Trust operates as a single unified nonprofit offering centered on land conservation services in Southcentral Alaska. The core offering consists of land conservation services including conservation easements (legal agreements permanently restricting development), land acquisitions (purchasing properties to create public lands), wetland mitigation (in-lieu fee compensatory mitigation program under agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and GIS mapping technology for identifying priority conservation parcels. Supporting offerings include the Legacy Circle planned giving program for estate gifts and management of Public Natural Areas providing trail access and outdoor recreation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Conservation Services Core land conservation services including strategic planning, conservation easements, land acquisitions, and perpetual stewardship for lands and waters in Southcentral Alaska. Delivered to private landowners, government agencies, and Alaska Native Corporations through voluntary partnerships.
• Wetland Mitigation Program (In-Lieu Fee) In-Lieu Fee (ILF) compensatory mitigation program operated under formal agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, allowing developers and project proponents to purchase mitigation credits to fulfill Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requirements. GLT uses proceeds to permanently conserve ecologically valuable wetlands within the Municipality of Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough; over $3 million deployed through the program since 1998.
• Conservation Easements Legal agreements with willing landowners that permanently restrict future development on the property, protecting open space, fish and wildlife habitat, farmlands, and recreational access in perpetuity. Landowners may donate or sell the easement (or use a bargain sale at less than full appraised value for tax benefits); GLT holds the easement, monitors compliance annually, and enforces it in perpetuity. A one-time stewardship contribution is requested to help fund ongoing oversight.
• Legacy Circle (Planned Giving Program) Planned giving program allowing donors to leave a lasting conservation legacy for Alaska's future through bequests, stock donations, real estate gifts, DAF contributions, IRA beneficiary designations, and other estate planning vehicles. Recognizes donors as Legacy Circle members.
• Land Acquisitions Purchase of private properties from willing sellers to create new public lands and access points for conservation and community benefit. Acquired properties may be held by GLT (with a conservation easement), transferred to government agencies for park or state park management (e.g., Potter Marsh Watershed Park, Stewart Trail Connection), or transferred to Alaska Native Corporations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 638,000 acres conserved across Alaska since 1989
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR/State Parks)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026Partnership to acquire the Bear Family Homestead (40-acre inholding within Chugach State Park) and facilitate transfer to State Parks for management. GLT is under contract with landowners and fundraising for purchase price and transaction costs. Project supports Chugach Access Plan and will allow permanent reroute of flooded trail section.
• Alaska Division of Parks & Outdoor RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2025Partnership to secure Stewart Trail Connection to Chugach State Park in Potter Valley. GLT purchased two parcels (50 acres from Alaska Botanical Garden, 97 acres from Alaska Zoo) and transferred them to State of Alaska for management as part of Chugach State Park.
• Knik TribecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2025Partnership to purchase and place permanent protections on 270 acres at mouth of O'Brien Creek with significant ecological, cultural, and historic value. Land placed under conservation restrictions and transferred to Knik Tribe ownership and management.
• Municipality of Anchorage / Anchorage Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 2024Partnership to establish Potter Marsh Watershed Park, a 300-acre park above Potter Marsh bordering Chugach State Park. GLT holds the conservation easement and secured $6 million for the project. Parks and Recreation developing master plan for park improvements.
• Mat-Su BoroughmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2023Expanded Settlers Bay Coastal Park by 187 acres through land donation, increasing park size to 480 acres. Project provides recreational opportunities and safeguards forest and wetland habitats.
• Eklutna, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Conservation easement on 4,789-acre Knik River Islands property at confluence of Knik and Matanuska rivers. Land remains under Alaska Native Corporation ownership with permitted public access. One of several partnerships between GLT and Eklutna, Inc.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Formal agreement establishing GLT's In-Lieu Fee (ILF) compensatory mitigation program. GLT receives payments from developers to offset wetland impacts and uses funds to permanently conserve wetlands within Municipality of Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough. Agreement updated in 2011 per Corps' 2008 Mitigation Rule.
• Alaska Botanical GardenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSold 50 acres in Potter Valley to GLT for transfer to Chugach State Park, securing Stewart Trail Connection.
• Alaska ZoomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSold 97 acres in Potter Valley to GLT for transfer to Chugach State Park, securing Stewart Trail Connection.
• Alaska Land Trusts CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative network including Alaska Farmland Trust, Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, Southeast Alaska Land Trust, and Interior Alaska Land Trust. Since 1989, Alaska Land Trusts have conserved over 638,000 acres.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National land conservation nonprofit that works with communities to protect land for public use. Operates in Alaska and competes for similar government grants and conservation project funding while offering broader national capacity and resources.
• National Wildlife Federation: National conservation nonprofit with Alaska program presence. Competes for individual donor dollars and foundation funding in conservation; broader advocacy and policy focus versus GLT's direct land protection model.
• The Nature Conservancy (Alaska): Global conservation organization with significant Alaska operations protecting ecological lands. Competes for similar foundation funding, donor dollars, and project partnerships with state and federal agencies in the same Southcentral Alaska geography.
• Ducks Unlimited (Alaska): Large national wetland conservation organization active in Alaska, focused on waterfowl habitat. Competitor for wetland mitigation fee revenue and federal conservation grants; broader scope and significantly larger resources than GLT.

Direct peers

• Kachemak Heritage Land Trust: Alaska-based regional land trust and Alaska Land Trusts Coalition partner operating in the Homer/Kachemak Bay area. Directly comparable in mission, scale, accreditation status, and service offerings to GLT.
• Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust: Alaska-based regional land trust and Alaska Land Trusts Coalition partner. Similar small-staff nonprofit model focused on conservation easements, land acquisition, and stewardship in Southwest Alaska.
• Interior Alaska Land Trust: Alaska-based regional land trust and Alaska Land Trusts Coalition partner serving the Interior region. Comparable organizational structure, mission, and operational model to GLT.
• Southeast Alaska Land Trust: Alaska-based regional land trust and direct Alaska Land Trusts Coalition partner. Operates the same conservation easement, land acquisition, and stewardship model in Southeast Alaska, sharing best practices and joint policy advocacy with GLT.
• Alaska Farmland Trust: Alaska-based land trust focused on agricultural land conservation, a coalition partner with GLT. Similar nonprofit structure and conservation easement service model, though focused on farmlands versus GLT's broader ecological focus.

Emerging players

• Trout Unlimited (Alaska): Coldwater fisheries conservation organization active in Alaska with overlapping interest in salmon stream and riparian habitat protection. Partial overlap with GLT's mission around salmon habitat and water quality, though focused on fishery-specific outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/greatlandtrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/greatlandtrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-land-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Great Land Trust