In Alabama, you’ll discover endless possibilities to discover the outdoors.
For Alabama landowners, these natural assets represent a unique opportunity to connect with visitors hungry for authentic outdoor experiences. That’s where LandTrust.com and its founder and CEO (and new Alabama resident) Nic De Castro steps in.
Offering access to Alabama the beautiful
In Alabama alone, there is currently over 1,500 acres of land to explore on LandTrust. LandTrust’s marketplace connects landowners with enthusiasts looking to experience new land, whether it’s for hunting, fishing or camping. The platform enables landowners to support their livelihoods by offering short-term access to private lands, helping them generate income while maintaining control of when and how their land is used.
De Castro’s hope is that LandTrust will help people build relationships and stronger communities through their connections to the land. Plus, new visitors lead to greater financial benefits for the communities surrounding these private lands.
PS: Innovate Alabama recently funded LandTrust to support their goals of helping businesses succeed and getting people outside.
Changing the game for recreation access
Just like AirBnB changed the ecosystem for homeowners and travelers, LandTrust provides new opportunities for both property owners and outdoor enthusiasts. Traditionally, hunting requires annual or multi-year leases to use land or belong to a club.
With LandTrust’s short-term rental model for land, landowners can rent their access to their land for as little as a day to guests and are not locked into long-term contracts, which allows them and their families, friends, business partners, and neighbors to still hunt, fish, and enjoy the recreational resources of their land and generate income when they’re not using it. Thanks to LandTrust, landowners retain more control and sportsmen get the chance to explore new properties for the time and price that makes sense for them.
“It’s important to remember that just because something’s not interesting to you, it can be really interesting to people who aren’t from here,” De Castro explained. “And even from the farm and ranch side, hosting people not only can make money for you, but it’s also reconnecting the non-producing public, the non-farm and ranch public, with people actually doing it.”
Meet Nic De Castro
De Castro and his family were originally based in Bozeman, Montana. He visited Alabama for the first time in March of 2024 for a LandTrust work trip. In September of 2024, when his family decided to relocate due to the rising cost of living, he looked back at Alabama.
“We were looking at different states offering what we considered better quality of life and better cost of living, but of course, for my work, I needed to be in a place I felt I could continue to grow the business significantly,” he explained.
A friend recommended his family visit Daphne and Fairhope, and they fell in love. From a business perspective, the Southeast is an important opportunity market for LandTrust. There are sportsmen who live in the region but not as much property listed on LandTrust. That mismatch offers significant growth potential. And beyond the opportunity to grow the business, Fairhope is a hub for technology and capital access.
“People actually care.”
The business itself is growing, with thousands of new acres of Alabama land coming to the network, but there’s more that sets Alabama apart: its people.
Soon after arriving in Fairhope, he connected with Hatch Fairhope, Baldwin County’s innovation hub. The team there immediately began introducing him to others in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“It’s one of the best things about working in and living in small communities,” he said. “People actually care. Everyone kind of knows each other, and they want to help.”
They aren’t just enjoying Southern hospitality we’re known for. Fairhope boasts plenty of parks and greenspaces for families to appreciate. Whether it’s a walk through a nearby greenspace or a sunset visit to the Gulf Coast, the family has made the state’s natural beauty a meaningful part of their everyday life.
Bringing Alabama hidden gems to visitors + locals
Want to explore LandTrust for yourself, either as a landowner or user? Sign up for free.
