The development of agriculture has caused rapid changes to the rural environment. Today, with growing awareness and concern for environmental issues, there is a movement to stem further damage to the countryside and replace some of the values which have been lost. Voluntary non-profit organisations which own and manage land for countryside conservation are playing an increasingly important role in this movement. These are called CARTs -- Conservation, Amenity and Recreation Trusts. Countryside in Trust explores the principles behind this movement and investigates the activities of the wide range of organisations involved, both large and small, including the National Trust, The Royal Society for the Protection