Incorporated on June 24, 1987, the Land Trust was established as a result of a passionate community effort to prevent development on the western slopes of Monte Sano. In the late 1980’s, the City of Huntsville established an Ad Hoc Committee to review slope development and open space issues. The result was the creation of Alabama’s first land trust – the Huntsville Land Trust. Initially managed by a dedicated group of volunteers and board members, several donations of land were received in the first few years. The Trust for Public Land helped to negotiate the purchase of the 547 acres on Monte Sano, becoming the Land Trust’s first public nature preserve. By 1997, the Huntsville Land Trust held 950 acres of property and was showing a steady increase in membership support. In just five years, those land holdings would grow to over 3,000 acres. The organization’s name was changed to The Land Trust of Huntsville & North Alabama in 1998, then again in 2010 to Land Trust of North Alabama in an effort to better reflect the broader mission of service to ten counties in North Alabama.

To date, more than 10,000 acres in seven counties have been preserved. Over 80 miles of public trails have been developed and are maintained by staff and volunteers. These lands include habitat for rare – and in some cases, endangered – species. Land Trust properties remain protected and, in many cases, are open to the public for outdoor recreation, research, and environmental education. Land Trust of North Alabama, now a nationally-accredited conservation land trust, has become the conduit for establishing a mosaic of natural areas throughout the North Alabama area, allowing all residents easy access to experience nature first-hand. Through land preservation, the natural character of the community is preserved, its essential spirit is maintained, and the quality of life of its residents is permanently enhanced.