January 20, 2010: Based on feedback the Commission received from land trusts that have been through the program, commissioner experience from reviewing more than 100 applications and an outside review, the accreditation process is changing to be more efficient for applicants and the Commission.

As part of this, the Land Trust Alliance made the decision to reduce the number of practices sampled from Land Trust Standards and Practices for accreditation, from 37 to 26. This change will maintain the rigor of the program while reducing the time applicants spend completing the application. It will also enable the Commission to efficiently manage an increasing volume of applications.

Perpetuity and the Land Trust Accreditation Program

Looking for a way to start a conversation at your land trust about applying for accreditation? Then check out our new video featuring accredited land trusts discussing the benefits of accreditation. The video features several land trusts that have successfully navigated the accreditation process and have emerged stronger and more effective as a result. We hope that land trusts across the nation will show the video at their board and staff meetings to start the conversation about accreditation. Watch the video now (below), download the video to take to your next meeting [right-click and select 'Save Link As': Windows Media Player file], or share the video by visiting our YouTube channel. Once you've watched the video, read our Getting Started fact sheet to help guide your land trust's journey to accreditation.

Registration for rounds 1 and 2 of 2010 is now open. This is a required first step in the accreditation application process. Learn more.