Mission & History

The North Salem Open Land Foundation is dedicated to preserving the character and natural beauty of the town of North Salem, NY and the area around it by establishing land areas free from exploitation, development, and deterioration and by maintaining the environmental and ecological integrity of the area.

Just 50 miles from Manhattan—but a world away—North Salem is a place where time slows down. With its sweeping views of rolling hills, classic post-and-rail fences, ancient stone walls, and open meadows dotted with horse paddocks, it’s easy to understand why people fall in love with this town. On a clear day, you can even glimpse the distant foothills of the Catskill Mountains.

Founded in 1731, North Salem spans 23 square miles and is home to about 5,200 residents. What sets this community apart is its deep connection to the land. Open space is the heart of North Salem—it’s what defines our identity and draws us here. But this rural character is delicate. With only 14,000 acres total and many large, undeveloped parcels, the town’s future could quickly shift if those lands were turned over to development.

That’s where the North Salem Open Land Foundation (NSOLF) comes in.

Since 1974, NSOLF has been dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and open spaces that make North Salem so special. Born from the vision of local residents who saw the need to protect its landscape, the Foundation has grown into a powerful steward of conservation.

Today, NSOLF owns 29 parcels of land—roughly 1,000 acres—and holds conservation easements on over 500 acres. That’s 1,316 acres of preserved land that will remain forever undeveloped, open for all to enjoy. Many of these areas are accessible for walking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and other low-impact activities that keep us connected to the land.

Our work is rooted in strategic conservation—through both land acquisition and easement programs. We focus especially on areas within the Croton Watershed, which supplies drinking water to New York City, and the Eastern Westchester Biotic Corridor, a vital stretch of ecological habitat.

At NSOLF, we believe that once open space is gone, it’s gone forever. That’s why we act now—to protect what we love, before it’s too late.