April showers bring May flowers and the latest round of accreditation decisions. Join us in congratulating the 29 land trusts who achieved renewal this winter. Accredited land trusts have helped strengthen the entire land trust community. This trusted network of land trusts demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. Land trusts who invest time and resources in the renewal process are telling their communities that they understand the responsibility of the promise of perpetuity.
You've successfully navigated the accreditation process but are unsure of what to do next. The Commission has a section on our website just for you: Once you're accredited.
One of the Commission’s core values is accountability, which includes operating an accreditation program that is fair and makes consistent decisions. As part of upholding that value, the Commission recently approved a series of policy updates that are now in effect. Most land trusts will not notice any difference, but the updates incorporate important feedback from the land trust community and better communicate the Commission’s processes.
The decisions, appeals, compliance confirmation and disciplinary action policies were updated and integrated into one document to allow for easier cross referencing and a glossary.
The updates to the decision policy clarify how the Commission makes accreditation decisions.
The policies now give the Commission an ability to offer a table period as part of the renewal application process and an expanded ability to use a probation period. These changes give accredited land trusts an additional opportunity to provide information or take action before the Commission considers a decision to not renew or to revoke the land trust's accreditation status.
The policies now explicitly state that Commission decisions are based on the information the land trust provides to the Commission and that land trusts are obliged to provide documentation showing compliance with Land Trust Standards and Practices and the accreditation program requirements. This is consistent with the accreditation agreement each land trust signs with each application.
The appeals process and what an appeal panel considers during an appeal was clarified.
For more details about the policy changes, visit the Commission’s website.
Spotlight on commissioners Consider becoming a volunteer commissioner
Have you ever thought about serving on the Land Trust Accreditation Commission or do you know someone who you think would be a good commissioner?
Joining the Commission is a great opportunity to work with a dedicated group of volunteer conservation leaders from around the country and be part of a national program that fosters excellence, trust and permanence in land conservation. Land trust accreditation is only possible through the dedicated volunteers who make up the Commission. The 18 commissioners—from across the country and with expertise in various areas of conservation—volunteer thousands of hours annually, governing and serving as peer reviewers.
You can read more about what it is like to be on the Commission and what drives individuals to become commissioners by reading stories from our Meet the commissioner series.
Land Trust Alliance 1250 H St. NW, Suite 600 Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, United States
The mission of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission is to inspire excellence, promote public trust and ensure permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing land trust organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and that strive for continuous improvement.
Land Trust Accreditation Commission, 36 Phila St, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
