August 29, 2007 eNewsletter

Application Lottery Closes this Friday!
The deadline to enter your land trust’s name in the lottery for first year accreditation applications is this Friday, August 31. If your organization wishes to be part of the accreditation program next year, you must submit an electronic "intent to apply" by August 31. This is your organization's "lottery ticket." Names of applicants will be drawn at Rally 2007: The National Land Conservation Conference in Denver, Colorado in early October.

Organizations interested in accreditation should review the materials below to determine whether they are eligible and are prepared to apply:

*The 2008 accreditation application lottery is now closed.*

Public Comments on Current Pilot Applicants
Seventeen new applications arrived earlier this month from land trusts in the second round of the pilot program. As part of the application process, the Commission accepts comments from the public on current applicants. Comments must be attributed, relate to how the applicant carries out national quality standards and will be shared with the applicant. Click here for more information, or if you would like to offer a comment on a current applicant.

Staff Update
Sigrid Pickering, our first review manager, has returned to her home state of Massachusetts to spend more time with her family. While at the Commission, Sigrid helped put in place many systems to make the accreditation program more efficient and effective. We are grateful for her service to the land trust community.

We are pleased to announce that Henrietta Jordan will join the Commission as review manager. Land trusts in the Northeast may know Henri from her previous position – policy and assessments manager for the Land Trust Alliance’s Northeast Program. At the Alliance Henri provided organizational development assistance and training to land trusts across the Northeast, advanced federal and state policy efforts, and helped land trusts implement Land Trust Standards and Practices. Her experience at the Alliance, as well as her work as a grassroots organizer, consultant and executive director of four nonprofit organizations make her a valuable addition to the Commission.

You may also hear from Jennifer Brady-Connor in the weeks ahead. She is providing temporary assistance to help with logistics for Rally and the pilot program.