Defense of Place is the only organization in the United States devoted solely to assuring that parks, open space, and wildlife refuges stay protected forever.

Land set aside for parks and open space is not an extension of a goverment's bank account or an institution's line of credit. It is placed in a public trust to be enjoyed by current and future generations forever.

Photo credit: Julie Weiss

Visit the Defense of Place Blog

Defense of Place firmly believes that lands given into the public trust whether they are parklands, conservation easements or wildlife areas deserve protection. We work with local advocates across the country who are fighting to protect public trust lands. Defense of Place provides technical assistance, media strategy, and fund raising assistance as well as acting as clearinghouse for information on public land protection. Defense of Place is also focused on increasing protections for private lands conservation easements. On the following pages you will find resources that can help you and your community protect the lands you love as well as linking to other organizations doing similar work across the country.

Headlines

DOP Founder Speaks Out Against Commercial Farm
in Proposed Pt. Reyes Wilderness Area
Defense of Place submits testimony to Congress
Contamination Cover-up Alleged in Benton Harbor Lakefront Golf Course Plan
Lake Texoma, OK - Developer Pointe Vista Argues for Special Tax Treatment
to Pay for its Infrastructure - 2nd Story Here
Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition Releases 2009 Report
Citizens demand Oklahoma AG Edmondson enforce laws at Lake Texoma
Local group says Pointe Vista not obtaining development land legally
An In-Depth Look at Development on Lake Texoma
Great News for Parks: Judge in Philadelphia Stands Up for City Park

Why Defense of Place

Will Americans be strong enough to stand up for our parks and open spaces, for wild rivers, lands and wildlife refuges? When we promise to preserve such spaces in perpetuity, how long is forever?

When we set aside land for a park, open space, or wildlife refuge, the current generation is making a pact with future generations to keep this land available for their enjoyment just as it has been for ours.

Yet with alarming frequency, lands placed in the public trust for permanent protection are being sold to the highest bidder. Cities and states sell off their parklands to cover budget shortfalls. State and federal land management agencies neglect the lands under the care to the point where they become unusable. Universities and even sometimes conservation organizations sell land whose donors believed would be protected for all time. Landowners whose property is supposedly protected forever through conservation restrictions violate these restrictions, destroying the public benefits promised.

When we tolerate the sale, development or misuse of our parks, wildlife refuges, and open spaces, we set a dangerous precedent that eventually threatens all the public estate. With each sale, our heritage is diminished and with it, our pact with future generations. Defense of Place stands up for these places and helps communities preserve the land entrusted to them.