Deer at Greenwood Preserve in Oregon

Kathy Milani / The HSUS

Wildlife Land Trust

Wildlife Land Trust protects wildlife by permanently preserving habitat and providing humane stewardship.

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N/A/Humane World for Animals

About Wildlife Land Trust 

Vital wildlife habitat is rapidly disappearing to development and other exploitative uses. Permanent protection is the only defense against these unwanted changes to the land and disruption or loss of life for the wildlife it harbors. With humane stewardship, careful monitoring and management of our thousands of acres, we provide forever homes for wildlife. 

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Design Pics Inc/Alamy Stock photo

Our sanctuaries

Wildlife Land Trust protects wildlife by preserving natural habitats and permanent sanctuaries. Compassionate landowners across the country have worked with the Trust to establish 116 permanent sanctuaries—where wildlife can continue to thrive for generations.

Our work

Landowners whose property includes critical wildlife habitat know that such lands are rapidly disappearing. They also know that refusing to sell to those who would destroy or exploit the land is admirable, but provides only temporary safety.

Since 1993, Wildlife Land Trust has provided a way to create permanent protection for both lands and the animals living there. With humane stewardship, careful monitoring and management of our thousands of acres, we protect spaces where wild animals thrive in their natural habitats. We look to connect these lands with other land trusts that share our mission of protecting animals.

Become a volunteer

Wildlife Land Trust volunteers have the opportunity to ensure the conservation of wild lands that provide vital wildlife habitat across the country. This highly flexible opportunity allows volunteers to act on their love of wildlife and nature conservancy while engaging in outdoor activities.

  • Volunteers commit to inspect their assigned sanctuary at least two times per year.
  • After training, we ask that Sanctuary Monitors make a commitment to work a minimum of two to three years.

  • Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
  • Volunteers must pass a criminal background check.
  • Volunteers must meet the requirements outlined in the Essential Capabilities document.
  • We recommend volunteers be current on their tetanus inoculation and have CPR certification.

  • Complete an online application form. A staff member will contact you to discuss opportunities and schedule an interview.
  • If we mutually determine that the opportunity appears to be a good fit, you will be asked to fill out an authorization form allowing us to carry out a background check based on the type of position for which you are applying.
  • Following the completion of the background check, you will be scheduled for a site visit to the property for training and be asked to sign a volunteer agreement and a waiver and release of liability.
  • After you are made an official volunteer, you will be trained in all aspects of your volunteer work, including monitoring techniques, processes and all relevant paperwork.

Humane Stewardship Alliance

Help wildlife survive and thrive on your land through the Humane Stewardship Alliance! This program offers individual land owners and other land trusts the opportunity to manage their land through core principles that benefit wildlife. Pledge to join today! Questions? Call 1-800-729-SAVE or fill out our contact form.

Kathy Milani/The HSUS 2010