Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts

Mission

We serve and strengthen the land trust community in Oregon. We do that by building connections and advancing policies that help protect our natural world—our water, wildlife and open space—for all people, forever.

Through the Oregon Land Justice Project (OLJP), we also seek to expand Indigenous access, ownership, and stewardship of land in Oregon.

Bottom Line for Portland

Oregon’s lands and waters define our way of life. But climate change, biodiversity loss, and deepening disconnection from nature demands swift, large-scale action. Land trusts, working closely with land owners, local communities, and Tribal nations, are leading the charge to protect and restore these landscapes.

Our 32 member organizations protect 782,860 acres of Oregon’s land. Among this, 102,376 acres across 118 locations are accessible for people to explore, learn from, and connect with nature. Dive into our latest State of the Lands issue to see how our coalition has made a lasting impact over the past decade.

A significant part of our collective work also focuses on returning land to Indigenous communities, the original stewards of these lands. Through OLJP, we bridge land trusts and Tribal communities across Oregon in order to build equitable partnerships and advance land return and Indigenous stewardship.

In 2025 alone, COLT has already made major strides—from launching Oregon’s first-ever Tribal Land Access Toolkit to taking on 17 pro bono cases that protect vital landscapes across the state. We also provided technical support for 20 new conservation easements on working lands, helping communities safeguard Oregon’s natural and working lands for generations to come.

But we can’t do this work alone. With your support, we can keep building this momentum and expand our impact across the state.

Quote

“There was this false premise that had existed in my career, that land and people are divided into two categories, when in fact, they are symbiotic." – Chuck Sams (Cayuse/Walla Walla/Cocopah/Yankton Sioux), Oregon conservation leader and National Park Service director

Incentives

The first 10 people to donate $50 or more to COLT through Give!Guide will receive a unique, limited-edition COLT-branded Miir coffee cup.

Be the first to donate $200 or more on Giving Tuesday and get a free bicycle tune-up from Cyclepath!

Partner(s)

We’re excited to collaborate on resource sharing and cross-promotion with some of our friends also featured in this year’s Give!Guide:

Forest Park Conservancy (COLT Member) – Forest Park Conservancy is a community-supported organization whose mission is to protect and restore the ecological health of Forest Park and Marquam Nature Park, maintain and enhance their extensive trails networks, promote equitable access, and inspire diverse community appreciation and stewardship of these iconic urban forests for generations to come.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge (COLT Member) – Friends is the only conservation organization entirely dedicated to protecting, preserving, and stewarding the Gorge. They own over 1,500 acres of land across the Gorge and work with a diverse coalition of people who share a common love for the Gorge.

Friends of Tryon Creek (Close OLJP Partner) – Friends of Tryon Creek's mission, in partnership with Oregon State Parks, is to inspire every community to identify, cultivate or reclaim their relationship with nature in this cherished urban forest.

1000 Friends of Oregon – (Frequent collaborator and partner with COLT on advocacy) This organization works to enhance the quality of life across Oregon by fostering livable urban and rural communities, protecting family farms and forests, and conserving natural areas.

NICWA  (Close OLJP Partner) –The National Indian Child Welfare Association  protects the safety, health, and cultural identity of all Native children and families—today and for future generations—by upholding culturally based services, community strength, and Tribal sovereignty.

Portland Housing Center  (G!G Mentee) – Portland Housing Center makes it possible through quality education, counseling, and financial services. 

Clackamas River Basin Council - This organization fosters partnerships for clean water and to improve fish and wildlife habitat and the quality of life for those who live, work and recreate in the watershed.