Saratoga Springs, New York (Feb 22, 2021) - The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a program promoting the highest national standards for ensuring permanence in the conservation of American lands, announced today that 33 land trusts across the United States achieved initial or renewed accreditation. There are now a total of 446 accredited land trusts across the country; they are based in 46 states and one territory.

 

This accreditation announcement comes shortly after President Biden's Jan 27 executive order to address the climate crisis, where he committed his administration to the conservation goal of protecting 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, an initiative commonly called 30x30. By empowering private landowners with a clear path for protecting their natural and working lands in perpetuity, accredited land trusts will be critical in helping the nation achieving this goal. The accreditation program has helped build public trust in the land trust community and the accreditation seal recognizes those land trusts working to the highest conservation standards. These standards help fortify the resiliency of these land trusts and ensure their promise of protecting lands forever.

Executive Director Melissa Kalvestrand said, "Resiliency and community trust in permanence — which accreditation strives to assure — are more critical than ever. The President's bold conservation plan, 30x30, leaves no doubt that investment in ethical and sound land conservation practices are vital for growing a healthier future. The seal of accreditation stands for demonstrated fiscal accountability, responsible governance, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of conserved lands."

The 33 land trusts were recognized for their recent accreditation achievement.

Achieving first-time accreditation (5 total): Central New York Land Trust (New York), Katawba Valley Land Trust (South Carolina), Lake Placid Land Conservancy (New York), Missouri Prairie Foundation (Missouri) and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (Maine).

Achieving first renewal of accreditation (13 total): Access Fund (Colorado), Georgia Piedmont Land Trust (Georgia), Greene Land Trust (New York), Groundswell Conservancy (Wisconsin), Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (Maine), Land Trust for Louisiana (Louisiana), Massachusetts Audubon Society (Massachusetts), Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (Connecticut), Orono Land Trust (Maine), Palouse Land Trust (Idaho), Rivers & Lands Conservancy (California), Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy (Michigan) and Wolf River Conservancy (Tennessee).

Achieving second renewal of accreditation (15 total): Alachua Conservation Trust (Florida), Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (New Hampshire), Center for Natural Lands Management (California), Conservation Trust for North Carolina (North Carolina), Jackson Hole Land Trust (Wyoming), Lancaster County Conservancy (Pennsylvania), McKenzie River Trust (Oregon), Montana Land Reliance (Montana), Montezuma Land Conservancy (Colorado), Northeast Wilderness Trust (Vermont), San Isabel Land Protection Trust (Colorado), Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (North Carolina), Stowe Land Trust (Vermont), TennGreen Land Conservancy (Tennessee) and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (New Jersey).

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.