The Commission is honored to announce that Kelly Collins Choi, Aaron Lefland and Misti Schmidt have joined the Commission. The Commission is governed by a diverse board of 17 volunteer commissioners involved in land conservation around the country. Aaron, Misti and Kelly bring with them a depth of knowledge and expertise in various aspects of land trust work. Learn more about all the volunteer commissioners. 

Kelly Collins Choi is director of policy and land conservation at Casey Trees in Washington, DC. Kelly leads Casey Trees’ urban conservation and stewardship work and guided them through first time Land Trust Accreditation. Previously, Kelly worked with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Program Open Space and Coastal Zone Management Program, leading a team of planners working at the intersection of conservation, restoration and climate resilience. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental science and policy from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in energy policy and climate from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, Kelly enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, daughter, and senior dog.

Aaron Lefland is the deputy director at the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, where he leads and supports capacity-building programs for approximately 115 land trusts across the state. He is deeply committed to helping land trusts become strong, enduring organizations that serve their communities through thoughtful, strategic land conservation and stewardship. Aaron holds a Master of Forest Science from the Yale School of the Environment, with a background in silviculture and forest ecology research. Outside of his professional work, Aaron spends as much time as possible outdoors, pursuing interests such as birding, hiking, rock climbing, foraging, gardening, nature photography and skiing.

Misti Schmidt is a partner at Conservation Partners LLP in Oakland, California, where she focuses her practice on the real estate and tax aspects of conservation transactions, including donative and mitigation conservation easements and carbon projects, as well as tax-exempt organization governance. Misti received her Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law and her juris doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where she received a certificate in environmental law. When she is not wearing her lawyer hat, you will find Misti gardening, hiking with her pup or playing board games.

There was much to celebrate in the land trust community in 2025. The Winter 2026 edition of Saving Land was a special digital version that took a look back at conservation stories that shaped 2025. 

The Accreditation Corner spotlighted Harry Pollack, the Commission’s incoming chair. Read about Harry’s thoughts on the challenges in the land trust community and the importance of accreditation in his own words. 

Meaningful work with a national impact. That's what it means to work for the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Consider joining our tight-knit team of dedicated conservationists as a communications specialist. The communications specialist is the point person for the Commission’s communications strategy and efforts in engaging the network of accredited land trusts as part of promoting and advancing the accreditation program. Sound like something you want to be a part of? 

Learn more and apply by Jan. 23.