Founded in 1989, the Burlington land Trust is a non-profit organization funded by membership dues and donations. The Land Trust is a mechanism for protecting threatened land resources.

Land Trusts work with individuals, businesses, and all levels of government, sharing a common objective of land preservation through acquisition, donation or conservation easement. Land Trusts also work cooperatively with other organizations including the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Lands to further ensure the donor's intent to conserve undeveloped land.

The Burlington Land Trust is the proud owner of the 43-acre Martha Brower Nature Preserve. Established in 2001 by Martha's husband Mike, who, together with his late wife, loved and owned the land for 50 years. His gift to us is a gift to all the people of Burlington. It contains a large pond and a section of the Tunxis Trail, which includes the beautiful and challenging Mile of Ledges and Tory Den.

The Burlington Land Trust owns two parcels comprising 11 acres abutting the Taine Mountain Preserve. They were donated by Jennifer Ventres.

The Burlington Land Trust also owns a conservation easement of 12.39 acres off Punch Brook Road that abuts The Taine Mountain Preserve. It was donated anonymously.

The Burlington Land Trust is entrusted with stewardship over two parcels totaling 200 acres. The 187-acre Taine Mountain Preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy. The Preserve was established in 1976 with a 100-acre donation from the Dunning Family and an 87-acre purchase from Mockford Washer.  The preserve straddles either side of Taine Mountain road and extends down to Punch Brook Road. The southwest side contains part of the Tunxis Trail and has three access points to Perry's Lookout. The northeast portion does not have marked trails.

The 13-acre Wildcat Preserve is a conservation easement owned by the town of Burlington and managed by the Land Trust. This is a rocky, wooded, ridge, bisected by a stream and landlocked with the Nassahegan Forest to the north.  Since it exists as a conservation easement, there is no public assess.

In addition to land preservation, The Burlington Land Trust is committed to educating the community. The Land Trust Collection at the Burlington Public Library contains a variety of books, pamphlets and videos on conservation, science and the natural world. Also at the library are backpacks donated by the BLT, which contain field guides, binoculars, and other items for family hikes.   We also lend support to the Eco-Action Club at Lewis Mills High School by offering a directorship to a student and line item support in our budget.  

The Burlington Land Trust is committed to working with other like-minded organizations, town & local government as well as developers and landowners to preserve the rural nature of our community. We do not oppose development. We advocate smart and sustainable growth