On July 3, 2026 — the eve of America’s 250th birthday — Nebraska Land Trust marks its own milestone: 25 years of permanently conserving the lands, waters, and working farms and ranches that define our state.

We were founded in 2001 by John Ellsworth, growing out of a vision shared by staff and board members at Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, Nebraska. Recognizing the need for a dedicated organization to conserve privately owned land in the Lower Platte River Valley, NLT was born.

Just one year later, in 2002, we accepted our first conservation easement — the 577-acre “Werner” easement in Douglas County, comprised of cropland, grasslands, and a full mile of Platte River frontage. It was a fitting beginning for NLT, as it forshadowed the future of our organization and what was to come.

Over the past quarter century, Nebraska Land Trust has conserved over 51,000 acres across 25 counties. These 51,000+ acres prepresent:

• 69 miles of streams, creeks and rivers
• 9,639 acres of forest and woodland habitat
• 199 acres of ponds and lakes
• 3,118 of cropland
• 35,965 acres of prairie

At the heart of it all are the 51 families who have entrusted us to protect their legacies. The farmers, ranchers, and land stewards who chose to conserve their land and protect these resources for the next generation and beyond. Each conservation easement represents a story: a family’s history, a way of life, and a commitment to the land. These landowners are not just partners in conservation. They are the foundation of our work and the heart of our mission. Through changing landscapes, evolving challenges, and the inevitable turns that time brings, we will continue to show up for the land and for the families who steward it.

We are truly grateful to the staff, board, landowners, friends, and partners who ushered us through the first 25 years. The future is bright at NLT, and we look forward to another 25 years of partnership and conservation.