Crossword Genius

Conservationists in state bound to be heard (8,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

national trust

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'conservationists in state bound to be heard' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'conservationists in state bound to be heard' is the wordplay.
'conservationists in state' becomes 'national' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'bound' becomes 'trussed' ('truss' can be a synonym of 'bind').
'to be heard' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'trussed' sounds like 'trust'.
'national'+'trust'='NATIONAL TRUST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for national trust that I've seen before include "Conservationist organisation" , "Conservation organisation" , "Preserving organisation" , "Heritage conservation charity" , "Heritage organisation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Times.
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