You've done the hard work, and now it is time to receive the recognition!

Through the voluntary land trust accreditation program your land trust can have external verification that it is meeting national quality standards.

Land trusts use the accreditation application process as a way to fine-tune their policies and streamline their operations. The Commission conducts an extensive review of the application and grants accreditation - and the right to use the accreditation seal - to land trusts that meet the practices.

The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation. It recognizes organizations for meeting national standards for excellence, upholding the public trust and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent. Become more efficient and gain recognition too - a win-win opportunity!

Preparing and applying for accreditation will likely take a significant commitment of time from the board and staff (if available). Each land trust should consider when it would be most appropriate for their organization to apply for accreditation and balance accreditation with their other program activities. In many cases this may mean incorporating accreditation into a long-term strategic plan and/or planning to apply after more immediate organizational or program needs are met.

View a snapshot of the accreditation application and review process.

Get started by visiting the links below or by using the navigation bar to your left:

• Accreditation Requirements
• Indicator Practices
• Applicant Handbook
• Registration and Fees
• Pre-Application
• Application
• Where to Go for Help
• Guidance Documents
• Fact sheets
  
• FAQs on Getting Accredited

NEW (10/10): To help better prepare applicants for the process, the Commission released three new sample documents you might expect to receive during the accreditation process. The first is a sample agenda for the applicant’s call with the Commission review team; the second is a sample follow-up letter requesting additional information (this letter is typically sent within a few weeks after the call); and the third is a sample award letter to a newly accredited land trust, including expectations for improvement. These documents are not intended to reflect the length of actual call agendas, follow-up letters or award letters, but are intended to show questions, requests and expectations that have appeared in actual documents. View the sample documents (PDF):

• Sample Agenda for Applicant Call with Commission Review Team
• Sample Follow-up Letter
• Sample Accreditation Award Letter