About us

Why we run a rescue without a kennel.

Northeastern Forest Alliance protects working forests across Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and upstate New York by helping landowners keep their woods in the family rather than selling to developers. We facilitate conservation easements, offer forestry planning, and run a small fund that helps rural families pay property taxes during hard years so they are not forced to sell.

The northeastern hardwood forest is a privately held ecosystem. Over seventy percent of it belongs to individual families, many of whom have held the land for generations. When a matriarch passes and the taxes come due, the quick sale to a subdivider has historically been the path of least resistance.

We formed in 2016 to offer another path. A conservation easement permanently restricts development while letting families continue to log responsibly, hunt, and pass the land to heirs. The easement is a document. The relationship that makes it work is the ten years of ongoing partnership that follow.

We are not a land trust that takes title. We are a service organization that helps landowners work with their chosen trust, forester, attorney, and accountant. Our footprint is small by design.

Leadership and governance

We are governed by a five-member volunteer board that meets quarterly. Day-to-day operations are led by a small paid staff. Full bios and our annual Form 990 are available on request.

Financial transparency

Our most recent audit is available upon request at info@neforestalliance.org. Over 91% of expenses fund direct animal care. Administrative costs run under 6%; fundraising under 3%.