Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating parks and protecting land for people across the United States. Founded in 1972, it works to ensure that every person, especially in urban areas, has access to the benefits of the outdoors. The organization employs a pragmatic approach, using real estate expertise, community engagement, and policy advocacy to secure land for public use. Its efforts have resulted in the protection of over four million acres and the creation or improvement of thousands of parks, playgrounds, and gardens.

History

The organization was established in 1972 by a group of conservationists and civic leaders including Marty Zeller, John B. Oakes, and former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. Early support came from prominent figures like Laurance Rockefeller and Cyrus Vance, who recognized the urgent need to protect natural spaces from rapid development. Its initial projects focused on preserving significant landscapes in the American West, such as critical acreage within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Over the decades, it expanded its mission from large-scale wilderness protection to a focused effort on creating parks in cities, addressing issues of public health and equity. This shift was influenced by growing awareness of the "park desert" phenomenon in underserved communities, leading to landmark initiatives like the Community Schoolyards program.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Primary activities include strategic land acquisition, where it negotiates and purchases properties for conversion into public parks, often in partnership with local municipalities or county agencies. A major focus is the transformation of public schoolyards into community parks through its Schoolyard initiative, opening these spaces during non-school hours. The organization also engages in robust policy advocacy, working to pass state and local ballot measures, such as the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota, that provide dedicated funding for conservation. Furthermore, it applies geographic information system mapping and data analysis through its ParkScore index to guide equitable park investment in cities like Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Notable projects

The organization has completed thousands of projects, including the protection of over 2,000 miles of Appalachian Trail corridor lands, securing the recreational integrity of this National Scenic Trail. In New York City, it played a key role in creating the High Line, transforming a disused New York Central Railroad viaduct into an iconic urban park. It facilitated the preservation of the Bays Mountain wilderness area in Tennessee, now a premier nature park for the city of Kingsport. The Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama, a 19-acre green space revitalizing the city's downtown, stands as another significant achievement. More recently, its 10-Minute Walk campaign has inspired mayors across the country, from Seattle to Miami, to commit to ensuring all residents live within a short walk of a quality park.

Impact and recognition

Its work has directly impacted more than 90 million people, providing them with close-to-home access to parks and natural areas. The annual ParkScore ranking, which evaluates the park systems of the largest U.S. cities, has become a critical tool for urban planners and elected officials, influencing budget allocations in places like Chicago and Washington, D.C.. The organization's research on the economic, health, and social benefits of parks is frequently cited by institutions like the Urban Land Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has received numerous awards, including the prestigious National Humanities Medal in 2021, awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities for deepening the nation's understanding of the human experience through place.

Organization and leadership

The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, with regional offices across the country, including in Boston, Chicago, and Santa Fe. It is governed by a national board of directors composed of leaders from the fields of conservation, business, law, and philanthropy. As of 2024, the President and Chief Executive Officer is Diane Regas, who previously held leadership roles at Environmental Defense Fund and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The operational model relies on a staff of experts in real estate, law, community outreach, and landscape architecture, working in close collaboration with local partners like The Conservation Fund and various municipal park and recreation departments to achieve shared conservation goals. Category:Non-profit organizations based in San Francisco Category:Conservation organizations in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1972