Information on Past Editions & Redline Version
First introduced in 2012, the Requirements Manual is reviewed annually and was last revised March 2023. The Commission decides each year if a new edition is needed, and any new additions are published in the spring to provide predictability to land trusts about when revisions will most likely be announced, help land trusts put together the best application possible, and maximize staff and volunteer resources. The newest version supersedes all previous versions.
- If the newest version has less-stringent and/or eliminated requirements, those changes go into effect immediately for the benefit of applicants preparing for accreditation or in the process.
- If the newest version has one or more requirements that are more stringent or new, those changes generally go into effect for applicants applying in a later year to ensure land trusts have advance notice prior to registering for first-time accreditation or renewed accreditation.
In October of 2022, the Commission surveyed land trusts about proposed new requirements; comments that were submitted informed changes to the 2023 Manual.
- 2023 Requirements Manual Redline (shows changes from March 2021 version)
- In October 2020, the Commission surveyed land trusts about proposed new requirements; comments that were submitted informed changes to the 2021 Manual.*We updated new versions of the redline and summary documents on March 23, 2021 to fix a typo found by an eagle-eyed reader.
The 2021 Requirements Manual (published on March 18, 2021)
The Summary of Changes 2021 (published on March 18, 2021)
2021 Requirements Manual Redline (shows changes from March 2018 version)
- 2021 applicants did not see any changes in the application or the accreditation management system (AMS), but minor changes were made for 2022 applicants based on modified requirements and user feedback.
- The Land Trust Alliance updated The Learning Center to the Resource Center in November 2022. With this update, the direct links to practice elements disconnected in the Requirements Manual. The Commission published a document that featured the updated links to the new Resource Center and was meant to be used as a reference guide to find each practice element on the new platform.
Land trusts have asked the Commission to report on the significant changes made over time to the Requirements Manual. Because the Land Trust Standards and Practices were revised in 2017, new indicator elements were identified. The 2018 Requirements Manual used a new format to make it easier for land trusts to compile the documentation needed for the accreditation application and reduce redundancy, therefore there is no redline version of the 2018 Manual. See an "In-Depth Look at Changes to the Requirements" on the differences between the 2016 and 2018 versions. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like a copy of any earlier versions of the Requirements Manual.
The Commission welcomes feedback on the Requirements Manual at any time from the land trust community and other stakeholders. Comments for next year's edition are most useful by August to ensure that they are considered as part of the annual review process.
It's important to understand when each component of your accreditation application is due.
