LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Did you know that 74% of NYS forests are privately owned? That’s roughly 14 million of 19 million acres. Winnakee recognizes that private landowners have a vital role to play in sustaining our landscapes for the future and the life within them.
Winnakee can help: Join our Landowner Assistance Program
Help is available to answer these and other land management questions through Winnkaee’s Landowner Assistance Program, which provides landowners with resources to maximize the resiliency of their land, increase biodiversity, restore rare species habitats, control harmful invasives, and become part of globally important connective land corridors that secure pathways for many species survival. Stewarding lands to reach their optimal ecological potential is essential to Winnakee’s long term conservation strategy, and using our active management models, we empower landowners to become long term stewards of their lands and help them reach their conservation goals.
Our Land Management Philosophy
CONSERVATION FIRST FORESTRY
Conservation First Forestry is a forest management approach that prioritizes the long-term health, resilience, and ecological function of forests. It emphasizes climate adaptation, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and carbon storage while recognizing that economic benefits are a by-product of responsible stewardship, not the primary goal.
By aligning management practices with natural processes, this approach ensures forests continue to provide essential ecosystem services such as clean air, water filtration, and soil health. When economic returns occur, they support conservation rather than compromise it, fostering sustainable landscapes that benefit both nature and communities.
STEWARDSHIP ACTIVATION
We don’t just preserve land; we bring it to life in ways that matter to people and ecosystems. We recognize that our lands are more than scenery—they are living, dynamic ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, store carbon, filter water, and offer vital resilience in the face of climate change. Forests, wetlands, and grasslands not only enrich our quality of life but are essential natural infrastructure that supports our very existence.
Through innovative science-based management, we restore habitats, enhance wildlife corridors, and maintain working landscapes that demonstrate how sustainable economic use and ecological stewardship can coexist harmoniously.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
This program supports landowners by offering trusted conservation advisory services tailored to individual conservation goals and needs.
It is available to supporters of our Open Field Society with expanded, in-depth services offered on a fee-for-service basis. Winnakee is committed to empowering landowners to care for their land with intention—by setting long-term conservation goals, accessing expert support, and staying connected to the latest in sustainable land management practices. Our aim is to foster a community of informed, conservation-first stewards who protect and enhance the ecological and economic value of their landscapes.
We welcome your questions! For more information, please reach out to:
Trevor Keough
Conservation Forester
Tel: 518-524-3268
tkeough@winnakee.org
Supporters of the Open Field Society receive many mission-related benefits, those associated with our Landowner Assistance Program include:
LAND STEWARD
Access to exclusive woods walks, educational content and other programs to guide conservation-first landownership
Gain knowledge in an engaging, hands-on way, while connecting with a community of landowners and natural resource professionals who share your stewardship goals.
Participants at this level are invited to special field walks and tours on local lands led by subject matter experts. These events are designed to teach landowners practical skills in managing their property, recognize local wildlife, and understand conservation techniques. Additional access granted to a curated library of webinars, articles, and learning tools.
CONSERVATION PATRON
Ideal for landowners with active management or conservation goals. This tier offers more frequent engagement and strategic support, including personalized advisory services that help translate goals into actionable steps.
Includes all Land Steward benefits plus:
Annual Site Visit
-
- Each year, a conservation advisor visits your property for a thorough walkthrough. They observe the current state of your land, note areas of concern or opportunity, and discuss your priorities with you.
- After the visit, they provide a summary with recommendations for management actions or areas to monitor, helping you better understand your land’s health and potential.
Quarterly Check Ins
-
- To keep your land management on track, the program includes four scheduled conversation visits per year. These can be phone calls or video meetings where you discuss how projects are progressing, ask questions, or adjust goals based on seasonal changes or new information.
Conservation Goal Development
-
- Working closely with you, the advisor helps clarify what you want to achieve with your land whether that is improving wildlife habitat, enhancing recreation, generating sustainable income, or preserving natural beauty. This process involves listening to your values, understanding your property, and helping you prioritize goals into a manageable plan.
Natural Resource Professional Connections
-
- Finding the right qualified land service professionals can be overwhelming. This service refers you to a vetted list of professionals who are aligned with your goals and property type.
Value of Program:
-
-
Receive expert, personalized advice about your land without needing to hire specialized consultants right away.
-
Maintain consistent guidance and support, reducing guesswork and ensuring your management evolves with your needs.
-
Save time and avoid frustration by getting personalized referrals to trusted professionals who align with your objectives.
-
Get a clear, tailored vision for your land’s future that guides all your stewardship efforts.
-
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
More in-depth landowner assistance services can also be customized as a fee-for-service program.
Those interested can access more tailored advice and high-level advocacy, offering deeper engagement through a comprehensive, landscape-scale strategic planning approach that supports their long-term stewardship goals.
Please contact Trevor Keough, Conservation Forester, directly to discuss options at tel: 518-524-3268 or tkeough@winnakee.org.