Natural Lands

Natural Lands’ mission is to preserve and nurture nature’s wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

One of the country’s largest land trusts, we are dedicated to saving open space, caring for nature, and connecting people to the outdoors. Our efforts began in 1953 when a group of avid bird watchers came together to protect what is now the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia. Nearly 70 years later, we have saved over 125,000 acres, including 43 nature preserves and one public garden—an accomplishment that enables more than five million people (and 80% of the Philadelphia metropolitan region) to live within five miles of open space under our permanent protection.