Big Wins in Land Conservation in 2026

Cottonwood Spring 

In June 2026, The Nature Conservancy protected the 218-acre Cottonwood Spring property near the headwaters of Sonoita Creek. This rare, year-round water source links habitat between the Patagonia and Santa Rita mountains and supports migrating jaguars and ocelots, as well as threatened fish, frogs, plants and birds. The acquisition also expands TNC's nearby Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve and creates opportunities to restore springs and wet meadows. Funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army helped make the project possible.

Mount Stakes

In 2026, The Nature Conservancy purchased 3,900 acres surrounding Mount Stakes in California's Inner Coast Range. Its steep, shrubby canyons provide wildlife habitat and connect Henry Coe State Park with the San Antonio Valley Ecological Reserve, strengthening a block of more than 170,000 protected acres in the Mount Hamilton region. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation provided financing for the acquisition. TNC plans to transfer the property to California State Parks, expanding Henry Coe's Orestimba Wilderness and improving access to the 20-mile Mount Stakes trail.

Telogia Creek 

In September 2026, The Nature Conservancy protected more than 2,200 acres at Telogia Creek in Liberty County. The acquisition strengthens a 22,000-acre wildlife corridor linking TNC's Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, Torreya State Park, Telogia Creek Wildlife Management Area and Apalachicola National Forest. The land expands durable protection within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and is especially important for the federally threatened eastern indigo snake. Support from TNC donors made this project possible and will help advance restoration of longleaf pine habitat. 

Thacker Property 

In June 2026, The Nature Conservancy protected 1,732 acres in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. Located between Mountain River Farms – which TNC protected in 2025 – and the vast Cumberland Forest Project, the Thacker tract expands a growing conservation corridor along Cumberland and Pine mountains. With the property conserved, planning is underway to improve habitat for elk, ruffed grouse and other wildlife using controlled burns and native plantings. TNC will eventually transfer the land to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for management, public access and recreation.

Magalloway Lands and Waters 

In July 2026, the Magalloway Collaborative completed conservation of more than 78,000 acres in western Maine. This shared success of Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Northeast Wilderness Trust and The Nature Conservancy secures connection between more than half a million acres of conserved land in the Appalachians. The project features forests, wetlands, rivers and native brook trout habitat. It will maintain public access for hunting, fishing, paddling and other cultural and recreational uses, create opportunities for Wabanaki Peoples to renew cultural connections, and play a role in sustaining the regional forest economy.

Clay County Prairie and Wetlands 

In May 2026, The Nature Conservancy and Pheasants Forever protected 1,900 acres of native prairie, wetlands and restorable grassland in Clay County. The property reconnects a grassland corridor stretching more than seven miles and supports at least 15 rare, threatened or endangered species, including greater prairie-chickens and Dakota skippers. All the land will be open for recreation and hunting.  Partners include Pheasants Forever, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society and Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center 

n March 2026, the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center purchased 600 forested acres in the Adirondacks, with assistance and funding from The Nature Conservancy, returning the land to Haudenosaunee care. Located in Kanien’keháka (Mohawk) territory—the eastern door of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy—the land will support Indigenous-led stewardship, cultural restoration, an expanded cultural center, a gathering space and an Indigenous youth camp. This land return recognizes and supports centuries-long efforts of the Haudenosaunee to reconnect with their traditional territories and is the result of partnerships dedicated to advancing Indigenous-led conservation and cultural restoration. 

Waccamaw and Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserves

In May 2026, The Nature Conservancy acquired four former timber properties totaling 4,625 acres in Horry County. Three tracts will expand the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve, while a fourth will become part of the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve, pending state approval. The lands protect bottomland forests, floodplains and nearly four miles of creek frontage, improving wildlife habitat, water quality and flood protection while creating future opportunities for hiking, fishing, paddling and hunting. The project involves the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the multi-state Atlantic Conservation Coalition, with federal funding.

_{This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement 3D25824 to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the Environmental Protection Agency endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document, as well as any images, video, text, or other content created by generative artificial intelligence tools, nor does any such content necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency.}

Head of the Crow State Park 

In July 2026, partners added approximately 550 acres to Head of the Crow State Park on Tennessee's South Cumberland Plateau. The expansion protects the headwaters of Crow Creek along with forests, caves, streams and habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species. It also strengthens a connected conservation landscape and expands opportunities for public recreation. The Nature Conservancy, TennGreen Land Conservancy and The Conservation Fund completed the project with support from the Open Space Institute, Tennessee's Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, Lyndhurst Foundation and other funders. 

Long Pond Natural Area 

In March 2026, The Nature Conservancy protected 92 acres at Long Pond in Greensboro, expanding the natural area to 860 acres. The property includes northern hardwood forest and 100 feet of undeveloped shoreline that help sustain the pond's watershed. Protection strengthens a wildlife corridor linking the Worcester and Green mountains to the Northeast Kingdom and safeguards biodiversity and forest resilience in a changing climate. Public access is allowed. Partners include Greensboro Land Trust, The Freeman Foundation, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and Vermont Land Trust.