The Trustees of Reservations Announce Largest Non-profit Environmental Campaign in Massachusetts' History

The Kresge Foundation Challenges The Trustees to Raise $50 Million in Cash by July 2006

Sharon, Mass. — June 7, 2005 — The Trustees of Reservations, pioneers of the land conservation movement, announced today that The Kresge Foundation has awarded a $1.5 million challenge grant to inspire the completion of The Trustees' $50 million Landscapes & Landmarks capital campaign.

The Trustees of Reservations have already raised more than $46 million in cash as part of this campaign, which will be used to protect land from development, utilize existing conservation areas as outdoor classrooms, and involve more people in caring for the special places in their communities. In addition to cash gifts, The Trustees have received very generous gifts of land. Through this campaign The Trustees will establish seven new reservations encompassing 1,685 acres -- all of which will be open to the public -- bringing the total land owned and managed by the organization to nearly 25,000 acres on 95 reservations across Massachusetts.

The Kresge Foundation, located in Troy, Mich., awards challenge grants to charitable organizations worldwide and requires grant recipients to complete their capital campaigns before receiving funds. The Trustees of Reservations must reach their $50 million cash campaign goal and engage thousands of supporters by July 2006 to successfully meet The Kresge Foundation Challenge. The Kresge funds will be used toward some of The Trustees' most important land conservation efforts and to make significant improvements to the way the organization serves its visitors and members.

“The Kresge Foundation Challenge is a vote of confidence in our vision, volunteer leadership and potential for growth,” said Andrew Kendall, Executive Director of The Trustees of Reservations. “The Kresge Foundation believes we have what it takes to continue leading conservation efforts in Massachusetts for the next 100 years.”

The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. It is not affiliated with any corporation or organization. In 2004, the Foundation awarded 175 grants for a total of $119,434,874. "In this cycle of grantmaking, our trustees were pleased to support a range of organizations reflecting almost the entire breadth of the nonprofit sector,” said John E. Marshall, III, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation.  “This diverse group is responding to the new challenges presented by their communities or sustaining activities that have demonstrated their effectiveness."

About The Trustees of Reservations
Founded in 1891, The Trustees of Reservations is the nation's oldest regional nonprofit conservation organization. Supported by more than 40,000 members, The Trustees protect Massachusetts' natural and historic resources for everyone to enjoy. From working farms to historic homesteads, barrier beaches to mountain vistas, The Trustees own, manage and interpret nearly 25,000 acres on 95 reservations, including four National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, and seven properties listed with the National Register of Historic Places. The Trustees employ 130 full-time and 400 seasonal staff with expertise in many areas, including ecology, education, historic resources, land protection, land management and planning. To find out how you can volunteer or become a member contact The Trustees of Reservations at www.thetrustees.org or at 978/921-1944.