Saratoga Springs, New York (November 6, 2019) - Daylight savings time ended this past weekend. One way to beat the winter blues that can set in with the shorter days is to get outdoors with your local accredited land trust. The network of over 400 accredited land trusts offer community programs, manage extensive trail networks and protect important open space.
“You can find an accredited land trust in 46 states and one US Territory,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, as she announced today three new organizations were awarded this mark of distinction: East Haddam Land Trust (CT), Maine Farmland Trust, and Ventura Land Trust (CA).
From farms to forests, and from urban parks to vast open spaces, accredited land trusts have protected—forever—more than 20 million acres of land. This an area of land larger than Yosemite Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Everglades, and Denali national parks combined.
Van Ryn noted, “the accountability provided by the accreditation seal helps increase public confidence in land trusts.” Accredited land trusts must renew every five years to confirm they comply with national quality standards; 21 land trusts were awarded renewed accreditation today.
By displaying the accreditation seal, these groups can proudly announce they demonstrate sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance and lasting stewardship of the lands they protect. With more than 400 accredited land trusts across the country, find one near you to help beat the winter blues.
The 21 land trusts recently achieving renewed accreditation include American Chestnut Land Trust (MD), Block Island Conservancy (RI), Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (MD), Elkhorn Slough Foundation (CA), French Creek Valley Conservancy (PA), Georgia-Alabama Land Trust (GA), Granby Land Trust (CT), Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust (ME), Harding Land Trust (NJ), Ice Age Trail Alliance (WI), Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (ME), Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County (CA), Louisville & Jefferson County Environmental Trust (KY), Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust (MA), Michigan Nature Association (MI), Monmouth Conservation Foundation (NJ), Norfolk Land Trust (CT), North Shore Land Alliance (NY), Northern Neck Land Conservancy (Virginia), Tiverton Land Trust (Rhode Island), and Vital Ground Foundation (MT).
About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, based in Saratoga Springs, New York, inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing land trust organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and that strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country.
About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available on its website.