Word from the Commission
Check back here periodically for the latest news and updates from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
Completing and updating a title investigation is essential project due diligence for each conservation easement and conservation fee property your land trust intends to acquire. Evaluating the title early in the transaction ensures you are working with the legal owner and uncovers issues that could impact the project and could ultimately undermine the conservation values you are working to protect. For example, there could be a mortgage on the property that – if the property is foreclosed on – could result in the extinguishment of the easement or there could be a significant tax lien against the property you are trying to acquire.
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Fall is a great time to review the stewardship requirements and to make sure your monitoring and inspection reports are up-to-date!
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Catch-up on the latest Accreditation Corner from the Land Trust Alliance's Saving Land magazine.
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We're ready to celebrate accreditation at the Land Trust Alliance Rally 2021, National Land Conservation Conference! We hope you will join the Commission (virtually!) as we recognize and congratulate the accredited land trust community's achievements from the past year.
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Are you ready to rock Rally 2021? We can't wait to get started! Find out how you can join us at the event.
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In August, the Commission conducted an open lottery enrollment period for 2022 first-time applications. We are excited to announce the 13 land trusts who will be embarking on the journey of applying for accreditation in 2022.
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Meticulous and thorough meeting minutes are important, even if you're not a Hamilton: An American Musical fan (if you are, we hope you enjoyed our headline reference!). As part of the accreditation process, the Commission relies on your organization's meeting minutes to provide a clear historical record of transactions and to verify that every effort was made to remove undue influence from decision-making. Review the Requirements Manual.
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Obtaining a financial evaluation each year (annually) gives your board reliable information to meet its oversight responsibilities as a nonprofit. Land Trust Standards and Practices and the accreditation requirements recognize three types of financial evaluations: compilation by a certified public accountant (CPA) or independent qualified accountant; review by an independent CPA or an audit by an independent CPA. Each has its own benefits and costs.
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Your board has many responsibilities when guiding your organization, including providing oversight of the land trust's finances and working to ensure that sufficient financial resources are available. Board members having and understanding the full story of your organization's finances is imperative for them to make sound and informed decisions.
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