The Branford Land Trust proudly displays the Accreditation Seal from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the national Land Trust Alliance first earned in 2019. Every five years accredited land trusts must participate in a six-month long renewal process that examines transactions, stewardship, organizational governance and financial systems. Our 2024 renewal review has begun.
The Land Trust Accreditation Program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. As part of the process, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.
At this time, the Commission invites your input on the Branford Land Trust. It will accept signed, written comments from the public on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the Branford Land Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards click here.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.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- 3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Branford Land Trust’s renewal application will be most useful by January 1, 2024.
Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. The Branford Land Trust proudly displays the Accreditation Seal of the national Land Trust Alliance, which it first earned in 2019. Every five years accredited land trusts must participate in a six-month long renewal process that examines transactions, stewardship, organizational governance and financial systems. Our 2024 renewal review has begun.
All aspects of land trust activity will be examined. The Acquisition and Property Management Committees are busy preparing submissions detailing new acquisitions and reporting on Management Plans and annual inspections. The Treasurer is preparing for the review of our accounting and financial management. The President is preparing responses to questions on all aspects of governance.
The rigorous accreditation process assures landowners and donors that land transactions will be professionally managed, any public funding will be properly spent, and the property will be appropriately stewarded long-term. The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction, and being accredited helps a land trust to stand out, to say to landowners, funders and other supporters: “Invest in us. We have proven we are a strong, effective organization you can trust to conserve your land forever.”
Accreditation also helps the land trust community maintain the trust of Congress, the Internal Revenue Service, and the public. Being accredited also provides a number of tangible benefits including eligibility for Conservation Defense Liability Insurance, as well as Directors and Officers insurance, and access to numerous trainings, publications, expert consultation and technical support. We connect regularly with our Land Trust Alliance contacts at the state, regional and national level. The organization has been critical in helping us resolve numerous legal and ethical challenges with land transactions.
