Adirondack Land Trust Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO FOREVER CONSERVE THE FORESTS, FARMLANDS, WATERS AND WILD PLACES THAT ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THE ADIRONDACKS.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 54.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 65
- Highest pay
- $210,719, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 54.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $2.9 million spent. LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM: THE ADIRONDACK LAND TRUST'S (ALT) CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION OF LANDS THAT FURTHER OUR MISSION AND ENSURE THEIR LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP AND WELL-BEING. OUR PROGRAM AREA COVERS NEARLY SEVEN MILLION ACRES CENTERED IN THE ADIRONDACK PARK AND INCLUDES NORTHERN CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, THE UPPER BLACK RIVER VALLEY TO THE WEST, AND THE UPPER CHAMPLAIN BASIN TO THE EAST. LAND PROTECTION EFFORTS INCLUDE THE ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR ALT PRESERVES OR AS ADDITIONS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS OF THE ADIRONDACK PARK AS WELL AS THE ACQUISITION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT PRIVATE FARMS, FORESTS AND NATURAL AREAS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUED) DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE TRUST COMPLETED FOUR FEE SIMPLE LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS INCLUDING THE ACQUISITION OF A 67-ACRE TRACT ON WILLSBORO POINT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TOWN OF WILLSBORO, NY MARKING THE ORGANIZATIONS FIRST MUNICIPAL PARK PARTNERSHIP PROJECT. IN ADDITION, ALT ADDED AN 80-ACRE TRACT TO ITS PRESERVE IN WESTPORT, NY AND PURCHASED A 41-ACRE TRACT IN WELLS, NY ALONG THE SCENIC GRIFFIN GORGE AS FUTURE ADDITION TO NY'S FOREST PRESERVE. THE TRUST ALSO WORKED WITH PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE TO PROTECT 2,800 ACRES IN THE NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS, HOME TO THE COLLEGE'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER (VIC), A HUB FOR EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR RECREATION. THE PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT RECORDED IN DECEMBER 2025 LIMITS DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER LAND USES TO ENSURE THAT THE VIC FORESTLANDS REMAIN FORESTS FOREVER. TOTAL LAND AND CONSERVATION EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 INCLUDED MANAGEMENT OF 15 FEE SIMPLE TITLE LANDS TOTALING 1,249 ACRES, AND 56 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT PROTECT 16,788 ACRES. STEWARDSHIP OF THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT PORTFOLIO INCLUDED ASSISTING SEVERAL EASEMENT LANDOWNERS TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR LANDS AND WORKING WITH OTHERS TO CORRECT CONSERVATION EASEMENT VIOLATIONS. STEWARDSHIP ON FEE OWNED LANDS INCLUDED PLANNING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR GLENVIEW AND HIGH MEADOW PRESERVES IN PREPARATION FOR OPENING THEM TO PUBLIC ACCESS, AND THE OVERSIGHT OF SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR TRANSFER TO NEW YORK STATE FOR INCLUSION IN THE FOREST PRESERVE.
- $705,201 spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM: THE ADIRONDACK LAND TRUST (ALT) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE VALUE OF LAND CONSERVATION IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION. IT ENABLES MUCH OF OUR LAND CONSERVATION WORK BECAUSE IT INSPIRES AND EMPOWERS LANDOWNERS TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THEIR LANDS; PUBLICIZES THE BROAD BENEFITS OF LAND CONSERVATION; BUILDS PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES, STATE AGENCIES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS; AND PROMOTES A LAND CONSERVATION ETHIC THROUGHOUT THE ADIRONDACKS. ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS TO PROTECTED LANDS TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT IN CONSERVATION AND BOLSTER NATURE APPRECIATION; RELEASING A PARKWIDE REPORT ON ACCESSIBLE WILDLAND TRAILS (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUED) THAT ALLOW PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE; PARTNERING WITH LOCAL LIBRARIES TO PROVIDE FREE BIRDWATCHING FIELD KITS THAT CAN BE CHECKED OUT LIKE A BOOK; FINALIZING A COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORT TO MAKE MAJOR UPGRADES TO A POPULAR HIKING TRAIL IN LAKE PLACID ESTIMATED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 15,000 HIKERS PER YEAR; REFINING A CULTURAL DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS TO INCORPORATE CULTURAL HISTORY INTO LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES; CONTINUING TO FACILITATE CONNECTIONS TO NATURE THROUGH TRAIL CAMERA FOOTAGE OF WILDLIFE; AND ENGAGING DIFFERENT AUDIENCES IN OUR CONSERVATION WORK THROUGH SUMMER EVENTS. STAFF ALSO ADVISE AND COLLABORATE VIA THE NEW YORK STATE FOREST PRESERVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ADIRONDACK FOOD SYSTEM NETWORK, LAND TRUST ALLIANCE NEW YORK PROGRAM, NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, AND OTHER ONGOING PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, IDENTIFY WILD LAND AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PRIORITIES, AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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