Your investment in accreditation strengthens the land trust movement, keeps your land trust on the leading edge and pays you back by helping you raise more money, attract more volunteers and qualifies you for valuable discounts and benefits.
Did you know that your accreditation fee is all-inclusive? During your term of five years — or seven years for third renewals and beyond — your one-time fee covers the application review, Extended Term Report (for third renewals and beyond), outreach calls and any consultations over the accredited term with Commission staff.
Accreditation fees are structured to provide land trusts of all sizes the opportunity to participate in a program that builds strong land trusts, fosters public trust in land conservation and helps ensure the permanence of land conservation. The fees for 2026 applications, along with FAQs, are now posted.
The land trust community lost one of its heroes in February when Mark Weston passed away from the effects of ALS. My friendship with Mark stretches back over 30 years. His work appraising conservation easements helped set the standard for conservation easement appraisals, both here in Colorado and nationally. He was generous with his time with all the land trust professionals who crossed his path.
That his heart was in conservation was made evident by his being a longstanding member of the Douglas County Open Space Commission, on the board of the Colorado Easement Oversight Commission, and president and board member of the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts. He finished his professional career as director of the Colorado Conservation Easement tax credit program, helping to revive and improve that program.
But for me the most courageous thing he did, even after his ALS diagnosis, was to volunteer to serve the land trust community again as a commissioner on the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Nothing spoke more to his love of conservation than volunteering to do that while being slowed down by ALS.
We will remember Mark with love and gratitude for how he enriched our lives with humor and dedication. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kathleen, who was Mark’s anchor and support.
Larry Kueter, Founding Chair of the Commission
Join the Alliance for Advocacy Days: May 5-8
Being an accredited land trust means you are a leader in the conservation community. The Land Trust Alliance invites staff, board members and volunteers to participate in its annual advocacy event. Speaking directly with your members of Congress and their staff is the most effective way to communicate the importance and need for legislation that supports land trusts. Learn more about this vital event.
New York land trusts: 2025 grant funding announced
The Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts Program is a public-private partnership funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The program offers competitive matching grants to qualified New York land trusts (land trusts must be accredited) to increase the pace of forested land conservation to combat climate changes. There will be $1.35 million available in this fourth round of grants. See more about the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts Program - Land Trust Alliance.
We need to hear from you if you...
Have a new executive director.
Changed geographical area.
Have a new contact for accreditation.
Changed corporate structure.
Changed names.
Decided to merge with another organization.
Changed programming, such as accepting easements when previously only accepting fee lands.
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
