Intro to Ausbon Sargent

Our Mission

Our mission is to preserve and protect the rural character of the Mt. Kearsarge/Ragged/Lake Sunapee region for public benefit through:

  • Land Conservation--To increase the amount of conserved acreage in the region and to identify land with a high priority for protection.
  • Stewardship--To fulfill our growing obligation to protect our lands now and forever.
  • Community Engagement--To ensure that a broad demographic will understand and value the benefits of conserved land and become involved in our mission.
  • Organizational Integrity--To continue as a trusted organization of excellence as evidenced by our financial stability and strong leadership and management.

We accomplish our mission by:

  • Identifying land with the highest priority for conservation in each of the towns we serve and develop strategies for acquiring such land;
  • Using staff and volunteers to efficiently and effectively monitor and manage our lands;
  • Increasing public awareness of the benefits of conserved land through education, and expanding membership across demographic groups and communities;
  • Providing educational opportunities for trustees and staff, annually updating development and succession plans and maintaining appropriate accreditation and financial oversight of the land trust.

Ausbon Sargent's Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Preserving Land for All: Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust welcomes all individuals to participate in our mission of land conversation and preservation. We work to create a safe and including environment for leadership, staff, volunteers, members, and the public. Our goal is for everyone to benefit from the rural landscape we treasure and join in our mission.

Profile of the Organization:

  • Total acres protected = 13,842 acres, 168 properties, over 8.70 miles of shore frontage including over 4,700 feet frontage on Lake Sunapee;
  • Area of operation = Mt. Kearsarge/Ragged/Lake Sunapee region including: Andover, Bradford, Danbury, Grantham, Goshen, Newbury, New London, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Wilmot and Warner;
  • Founded in 1987;
  • 1,000+ memberships;
  • Operated by a volunteer board of trustees;
  • Staff includes: full-time Executive Director, full-time Land Protection Specialist, full-time Development & Communications Coordinator, full-time Operations Manager, part-time Stewardship Manager, full-time Stewardship and Program Coordinator, and part-time Office Assistant
  • 200+ volunteers provide year round support for easement monitoring and committee work;
  • Funded through membership, donations, special events & grants; our fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30;
  • Private, non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization.  Donations to Ausbon Sargent are tax deductible as provided by Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code;
  • One of over 400 land trusts to earn the designation of being Accredited through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (LTAC), which insures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. More information about the LTAC can be found here: www.landtrustaccreditation.org

"Closing Light" by Lisa Jelleme #31 Enroth Easement