Organization
Native Land Conservancy (Massachusetts)
Not yet reviewed by this nation. What follows comes from public records and research. It does not speak for the nation.
Native Land Conservancy of Mashpee, Massachusetts says it holds title to more than 295 acres in Massachusetts and 8.5 acres in Wisconsin.
- Kind
- 501(c)(3) land trust (legal name Native Land Conservancy Inc)
- Native-led
- yes-self-described
- Region
- Mashpee, MA; southern New England
- Registry
- EIN 46-3944868 (site states Tax ID; ProPublica exempt since June 2014); Charity Navigator 4/4 stars
What happened
The Native Land Conservancy, based in Mashpee, Massachusetts, calls itself the first Native American-led land conservation group east of the Mississippi. Its Our Story page says it was founded in 2012. It quotes founder Ramona Peters, who speaks as a Wampanoag, saying she founded it "to see if people would be inclined to give some land back."
Its Land Holdings page says it holds title to more than 295 acres across 11 towns in Massachusetts, plus 8.5 acres on an island in Lake Superior in Wisconsin. Most holdings began as gifts from landowners. In 2023 the group bought 3.3 acres at Aquinnah, and says it holds that land until the Aquinnah Land Initiative can raise funds to buy it.
The group also holds conservation easements on land it does not own. One is 776 acres in central Alabama cared for by a Maskoke community. In 2016 it signed a five-year cultural respect agreement with the Dennis Conservation Land Trust, which it describes as the first of its kind on the East Coast and later renewed as a perpetual easement.
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer lists Native Land Conservancy Inc of Mashpee as a 501(c)(3), with tax exemption issued in June 2014.
Good to know. Not the same as the Native American Land Conservancy in California. Its acreage and its claim to be the first such group east of the Mississippi are its own.
Summarized with AI assistance from 5 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error
What the sources say, and how this was checked
Well supported by the sources below.
The NLC was founded as the first Native American-led land conservation group east of the Mississippi.
Our Story — Native Land ConservancyIn the words of NLC founder, Ramona Peters: As a Wampanoag
Our Story — Native Land Conservancyholds title to more than 295 acres across 11 towns in Massachusetts and also 8.5 acres on an island in Lake Superior in Wisconsin.
Land Holdings — Native Land Conservancy776 acres in central Alabama cared for by a Maskoke community restoring tribal traditional culture, language and lifeways.
Conservation Easements — Native Land ConservancyTax exemption issued: June 2014 EIN: 46-3944868
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Native Land Conservancy Inc
Research notes. Acreage and the 'first east of the Mississippi' claim are the organization's own. The holdings page does not say which tribe each parcel is meant to serve beyond the examples named. Not the same organization as the Native American Land Conservancy of Banning, California.
Visit the organization’s website or give directly on its own page. This site takes no money.
Connections
Links marked “suggested” were matched automatically by name or date and have not yet been reviewed by a person.
Works with 2
- Anishinaabesuggested
- Wampanoagsuggested
Works in 1
- Massachusettssuggested
Supports the return of 1
Sources
- nativelandconservancy.org/self-description
The record’s fields
- Works with
- Wampanoag and other Native communities of southern New England (board 'from a variety of Native American tribal communities'); one holding on Madeline Island, WI
- Focus
- Native-led land conservation; Land Rescue (acquisition, easements), Cultural Respect Easements; holds title to 295+ acres in 11 MA towns plus 8.5 acres on Madeline Island, WI (self-reported)
- Vetting notes
- Site describes itself as an 'Indigenous-led land conservation nonprofit'. Founders/leaders not named on pages read; tribal affiliations of individual holdings not stated on the holdings page. ProPublica FY2024 revenue about $6.5M. Not the same org as Native American Land Conservancy (Banning, CA).
- Kind
- Organization
- Confidence
- High
- Nation review
- Not yet reviewed by this nation