The West Virginia Land Trust is pleased to announce that it is applying for national accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the West Virginia Land Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For a full list of the standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/tips-and-tools/indicator-practices.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. “By undertaking this accreditation process, the West Virginia Land Trust has established a system for making sure that we implement best management practices that are applicable to nonprofit and land conservation organizations. Landowners, donors, and key stakeholders can be assured that when they work with the West Virginia Land Trust, there is accountability and transparency in the relationship,” said Jonathan Marshall, President of the West Virginia Land Trust.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visitwww.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3138; (mail) 36 Philadelphia Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on the West Virginia Land Trust’s application will be most useful if received by November 1, 2015.