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eNewsletter

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June Accreditation Update: Applying for Accreditation in 2009

This is shaping up to be a busy summer for the accreditation program as we prepare for the inaugural awards ceremony in September! Many people have also asked about how to apply in 2009 and we are pleased to be able to offer details in this update.
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May Accreditation Update

Call for Volunteer Commissioners

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission is seeking individuals interested in serving as volunteer commissioners. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the new land trust accreditation program, work with a strong team of commissioners and learn about conservation practices across the country. Volunteers must be willing to volunteer up to 30 days of service each year and serve at least one three-year term. For more information about commissioner responsibilities see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/home/29-about-the-commission/140-commission-member-position-description. Interested candidates must submit a summary of their qualifications online. Read more on our website. Responses from candidates will be accepted through July 30, 2008.

Tip of the Month – Keep File Names Short and Sweet

The Commission accepts some pre-application and project documentation data electronically on CD. We recently learned, however, that we may not be able to open electronic files that have long file names. CD files can have path names of no more than 64 characters, whereas files on hard drives and networks can have path names exceeding 200 characters! For example, on your hard drive or network drive you might have a file that reads: C:/MyDocuments/GreenAcresLandTrust/this_cool_project_for_land_trust_accreditation_commission_application_for_accrediation.doc.

"The Commission has made great strides to improve the application process, with new efficiencies in preparation clearly apparent with our submission," says Andrew Chmar, executive director of Hudson Highlands Land Trust, a 2008 applicant. "In particular, by being able to now submit project documentation in electronic format on CD, as well as using PDF form functionality for the main application, we saved considerable time, expense and resources (like paper) in our final deliverables to the Commission. We’re confident that future applicants will see further streamlining of the process, so that both land trusts and the Commission benefit from the additional efficiencies."

On a CD for the Commission, the filename may simply read: SmithEasement.doc. If you are submitting files on CD, be sure to try opening the CD on a different computer and one that is not tied to your network.

Upcoming Events
There are just a couple more accreditation workshops lined up this spring. We hope to see you June 6 at the Maryland Land Trust Conference in Woodstock, MD and June 11-13 at the Virginia United Land Trust Conference, Staunton, VA.

Comments on Current Applicants
Complete applications from the first round of 2008 applicants drawn from last year’s lottery arrived at the Commission’s office earlier this month. The Commission is now accepting comments from the public on these applicants. For a list of current applicants and more information on public comments, visit http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/current-applicants/action-public-comment.

April 2008 Accreditation Update

2008 Applications Arrive

Pre-applications from the first round of 2008 applicants drawn from the lottery arrived at the Land Trust Accreditation Commission’s office in February, with complete applications arriving this week. The Commission is now accepting comments from the public on the following applicants for accreditation:

Aspen Valley Land Trust (CO)

Athens Land Trust (GA)

California Open Lands (CA)

Chikaming Open Lands (MI)

Conservation Trust for Florida (FL)

Countryside Conservancy (PA)

Estes Valley Land Trust (CO)

Freshwater Land Trust (AL)

Gallatin Valley Land Trust (MT)

Hudson Highlands Land Trust (NY)

Lancaster Farmland Trust (PA)

Land Trust of Virginia (VA)

Northern Prairies Land Trust (NE, SD)

Placer Land Trust (CA)

Scenic Hudson and The Scenic Hudson Land Trust (NY)

Tecumseh Land Preservation Association (OH)

For more information and guidelines on public comments, see the Applicant Handbook or visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org/current-applicants/action-public-comment.

Commissioner and Staff Update

The Land Trust Alliance Board of Directors recently voted to expand the size of the Commission by two to help create a more manageable workload for commissioners. We are pleased to announce the election of Kathy Treanor as a new commissioner. Kathy is the founder and senior advisor for the Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) in Greensboro NC. She also served as PLC's first president and executive director. Kathy was part of the original group of individuals that applied to be on the Commission in 2005. The Commission will announce details this summer on the application process for those interested in serving as commissioners as future seats become available.

“I am thrilled to serve with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission,” says Kathy. “Achieving excellence, trust and permanence will ensure sustainability for land trust efforts across the nation.”

There have also been some exciting staff changes at the Commission. Jennifer Brady-Connor joined the Commission in March 2008 as the new program coordinator. Jennifer has worked for the Land Trust Alliance and Saratoga Land Conservancy (now Saratoga P.L.A.N.) and has managed her own business. She served as board chair of the New York State Wetlands Forum and has held other volunteer leadership positions within the conservation community. Commissioners and staff welcome Kathy and Jennifer to the accreditation team. Read more about them on our website at: www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about-the-commission.

Laura DiBetta moved into the program manager position after two years as program coordinator. In this new capacity, Laura will take on a larger role in the coordination and review of applications while continuing to manage Commission communications.

Tip of the Month

The Land Trust Alliance and the Land Trust Accreditation Commission announced the elimination of five indicator practices last fall to avoid redundancy, including practice 2D. Records Policy. Some organizations have asked if that means a records policy is still required as part of accreditation. The answer is – yes! Practice 9G. Recordkeeping requires a records policy pursuant to 2D. Asking for the policy as documentation for 9G reduces redundancy. For more information on recordkeeping, visit The Learning Center at http://learningcenter.lta.org, the Alliance’s new online resource.

Upcoming Events

Commissioners and staff presented at many of the regional land trust conferences this spring. There are a few more accreditation workshops lined up at these upcoming conferences. We hope to see you there!

May 1-3 Northwest Land Trust Conference, Winthrop, WA

May 2-3 Maine Land Trust Conference, Brunswick, ME

May 15-17 Southwest Land Trust Conference, Park City, UT

June 11-13 Virginia United Land Trust Conference, Staunton, VA

For a full list of upcoming events, see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/home/32-newsflash/136-accreditation-at-upcoming-conferences.

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