To promote for public benefit the
preservation, protection and balanced use of natural resources, including
the acquisition and holding of conservation easements and other real
property interests.
To increase community use, appreciation and
understanding of the natural environment through the protection and
preservation of valuable open space land, for the enjoyment, education and
benefit of present and future generations.
To retain or protect the natural or
open-space values of real property; assure the availability of real property
for agricultural, forestural, recreational, or open-space use; protect
natural resources; and maintain or enhance air or water quality in the
vicinity of such natural resources.
To encourage innovative methods of land
conservation for environmentally sound land use.
To use all properties held or controlled by
the corporation and the net earnings thereof for the benefit of the general
public and for charitable, educational, recreational, conservation,
scientific and historical purposes.
To cooperate with and assist local, state and
federal governmental agencies and bodies, as well as other nonprofit
organizations, in the preservation and conservation of open space resources.
To engage in wetland mitigation banking,
including, without limitation, the creation, restoration, and/or abatement
of wetlands on properties deemed suitable by the corporation and the
dedication of such wetlands as mitigation in connection with the filling
and/or dredging of wetlands and the permits related thereto.