Accreditation is awarded for a period of five years at which point a land trust must renew its accreditation. To design the renewal process, the Commission formed a committee in the fall of 2010 and contracted with an accreditation expert to outline renewal options for consideration. The committee included current and former commissioners (including representatives of accredited land trusts), Land Trust Alliance board members whose land trusts are accredited, and an Alliance staff member. The Commission adopted the framework recommended by the committee in summer 2011. For more information read the most recent renewal of accreditation fact sheet.
Accredited land trusts planning for renewal should read the February 2012 advance draft release of the Application for Renewal of Accreditation and review the accompanying Master Attachment Checklist thoroughly. The Commission plans to release a revised Applicant Handbook and related materials (including a document that augments and combines the existing Guidance Documents) by June 2012; this will be announced in the Commission’s eNewsletter. To sign up for the eNewsletter, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Note: If your organization is already accredited and is preparing for renewal in 2013 or 2014 the Commission will send your accreditation contact the registration information specific to your organization within six months of its application due date. To change your accreditation contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the updated information to the Commission.
Anticipated Renewal Application Timeline
| Winter/Spring 2012 |
Develop technology and process around online renewal application (in progress) |
| By June 2012 |
Release final draft of renewal application, revised Applicant Handbook section on renewals, and related materials |
| Fall 2012 | Open registration for land trusts renewing in 2013 |
|
Late Spring 2013 |
Renewal application due date for first round of renewals |
|
Late Fall 2013 |
Renewal application due date for second round of renewals |
Progress to Date
| Winter 2010/2011 | Accredited land trusts submit thoughts and questions on renewal to inform brainstorming phase Committee reviews comments received |
| Spring 2011 | Discussions with accredited land trusts and service centers at regional conferences and other events Committee refines process based on input |
| Summer 2011 |
Four webinars coupled with an electronic survey for all accredited land trusts on design concepts Commission approves design framework |
| Fall 2011 | Information sessions at Rally in October |
|
February 2012 |
Advance drafts of Application for Renewal of Accreditation and Master Attachment Checklist released |
| April 2012 | Accreditation fees for renewal of accreditation in 2013 approved and released by Commission |
Preparing for Renewal
Accredited land trusts can take steps now to prepare for renewal:
- Be sure that you can show over the 5-year accreditation period documentation of annual monitoring.
- Be aware of new or revised Guidance Documents that were published after your land trust was accredited (for example, on practice 6D. Financial Review or Audit and practice 9H. Title Investigation).
- Review any expectations for improvement your land trust received and what progress is being made to address them. View a new fact sheet with FAQs about Expectations for Improvement.
- Plan now to complete an assessment against the full Land Trust Standards and Practices within three years of your application for renewal due date.
Review the advance-release version of the renewal application and master attachment checklist .
To stay current on accreditation requirements, land trusts are encouraged to review the published Guidance Documents and read our monthly eNewsletter which often contains important news and tips on particular standards and practices.
If you have questions, please email Jennifer Brady-Connor, Program Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 518-587-3143.
