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At the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, we know that conserving and caring for the land is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change. Forests, wetlands, and farmland across the Upper Delaware River region play a vital role in capturing and storing carbon, filtering clean water, supporting biodiversity, and building resilience in the face of a changing climate.

When land is permanently protected, it is safeguarded from development and deforestation—two major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy, intact forests act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in trees, soil, and vegetation. In fact, a 2017 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) concluded that natural climate solutions, including conservation, restoration, and improved management of forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands, could provide up to one-third of the emissions reductions needed to meet global climate goals.

But conservation doesn’t stop with protecting the land. Ongoing stewardship—thoughtful, science-based care of the natural resources we’ve conserved—is just as critical. Stewardship includes monitoring conserved properties, supporting sustainable land management, and working closely with landowners to ensure that forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands remain healthy and productive for generations to come.

In the face of increasingly intense storms, longer periods of drought, and shifting seasons, conserved land offers a buffer. It helps reduce flooding, improves soil health, and provides essential habitat for wildlife. Our work also connects blocks of conserved land, which supports wildlife movement and strengthens the landscape’s ability to adapt to climate change.

Local action matters. Every acre conserved is a step toward a more resilient future. At the Conservancy, we are proud to partner with landowners and communities to protect the places we love and depend on—now and for future generations.

Together, through land conservation and stewardship, we are helping to address the climate crisis in a tangible and lasting way. Learn more about protecting and caring for your land, supporting the Conservancy by becoming a member, or how you can get involved as a volunteer, at delawarehighlands.org.