Our Vision, Our Values
We envision that Otsego County and the surrounding area will remain not only able to support life, but to support the kinds of lives we have here today—healthy, beautiful lives.
A place with clean water, sustainable family farms, and breathtaking views.
A place where our children can learn about wildlife by seeing it.
A place where human beings connect with nature.
Susan Rowland PhotographyStudy of American history, including conservation history, is intimately tied to indigenous peoples—in this region, the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois.
The term seventh generation and the philosophy of looking forward seven generations comes from the Great Law or constitution of the Haudenosaunee: Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground—the unborn of the future Nation.
We are responsible for our impact seven generations into the future, and beyond. This principal guides our conservation practices, and supports a collaborative relationship between conservation and responsible development.
Our vision includes everyone.
We are not protecting land for only some future generations, but for all; diversity and inclusion are inseparable from conscious conservation efforts. This is why Otsego Land Trust stands against racism in all forms, welcoming diversity in our field and recognizing the need for continuous learning and reflection as we do our work in the world.
For us, diversity also means making efforts toward accessibility for those who are differently abled, wherever possible. While some terrains are less adaptable, Brookwood Point is wheelchair accessible, and equipped for adaptive sports and leisure.
We recognize that conservation is best advanced by leadership and contributions of people from a diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Seven generations into the future and beyond, we envision a diverse region with equal access to the lands and waters that sustain us.
BEOME A CONSERVATION HERO
Your monthly donation can also help educate our community on the importance of our natural resources, and share the love of wild places.