Land Trust Alliance

Newly Accredited Land Trusts

prichardson — 2009-08-05T14:05:00Z

Congratulations to the twenty-three new land trusts that have just earned the important distinction of accreditation.

Thank you for all you do to strengthen land conservation!

Bayfield Regional Conservancy (WI)

Founded in 1996, the Bayfield Regional Conservancy preserves the natural lands, waters, forests, farms and places of scenic, historic and spiritual value that their community cherishes in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Sawyer Counties. Their service area includes Wisconsin's entire Lake Superior drainage basin, as well as the incredibly rich and diverse lakes region in Sawyer County.

Caledonia Conservancy (WI)

One of Wisconsin’s oldest land trusts founded in 1994, the Caledonia Conservancy has permanently protected more than 122 acres, including portions of the old North Shore train right-of-way, the 28.5 acre Trout Ponds Prairie and 25.2 acres in the Tabor Woods Natural Area. They are committed to work with its supporters and volunteer Board of Directors to preserve and maintain open space and trails, promote balanced development and raise awareness of the importance of conservation.

ClearWater Conservancy (PA)

ClearWater Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. is a Centre County-based land trust and natural resource conservation organization formed in 1980. Their mission is to promote conservation and restoration of natural resources in central Pennsylvania through land conservation, water resource protection, and environmental outreach to the community. The work of ClearWater Conservancy is a blend of planning and implementation of projects that benefit the entire community.

Congaree Land Trust (SC)

Established in 1992, the Congree Land Trust’s mission is to promote voluntary conservation of scenic lands, open spaces, farms, forests, natural areas and significant habitats in central South Carolina. They facilitate conservation easements for properties in 11 counties of central South Carolina. With their small staff and their valuable volunteer support, they manage their 80 easements and the many membership and development tasks.

Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. (FL)

The Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. was founded in 1999 by a group of professional conservationists to address the need to protect rural land and natural areas in Florida. They work with private landowners to protect their farms, ranches, and timberlands. They also work to preserve natural areas and wildlife corridors, like the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor. To date, they have helped to preserve over 10,000 acres of special Florida lands.

Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico (PR)

The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the Island’s natural resources. They carry out this mission through the acquisition of lands of great ecological, aesthetic, historic and cultural value, and the establishment of conservation easements. As part of its mission, they develop programs aimed at educating the public about environmental issues and the need to protect and conserve the Island’s natural resources. Through its reforestation program, Árboles… más árboles (A+A), the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico produces and distributes native tree species that help promote the Island’s biological diversity.

D&R Greenway Land Trust, Inc. (NJ)

D&R Greenway Land Trust is central New Jersey's nonprofit land preservation organization, founded in 1989 through the collaboration and vision of four organizations: the Stony Brook - Millstone Watershed Association, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Regional Planning Partnership, and the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission. Their vision of an organization dedicated to the preservation of their remaining natural areas led to the creation of this small grassroots organization that completed the first nonprofit acquisition using Green Acres funds in 1992. They permanently preserve watershed lands and large-scale landscapes, thereby preventing the loss of open space to development. Their operating region consists of over 1,500 square miles, encompassing portions of the Delaware, Raritan and Millstone River watersheds and the Delaware & Raritan Canal, and they have broadened their work to include preservation of farm land in Salem County in the area of Mannington Meadows.

Great Land Trust (AK)

Founded in 1995 by residents of Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, Great Land Trust is working with willing landowners and other partners to conserve Southcentral Alaska's lands and waterways. They permanently and directly conserve lands and waterways essential to the quality of life and economic health of our communities. The Great Land Trust achieves this goal in several ways, including: Working in partnership with landowners who wish to protect the special features of their land through voluntary private action; direct land purchase; and Cooperating with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal agencies on projects that benefit the community. The Great Land Trust offers individuals and businesses an opportunity to set aside specific areas for conservation - leaving a lasting legacy for the future.

Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (IL)

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation is a locally based, nonprofit land trust, working with landowners on voluntary conservation projects using land acquisition, land donations, conservation easements, and landowner registry to help protect the natural resources, open space, and farmland in beautiful Jo Daviess County in northwest Illinois. Their mission is to protect the natural heritage, spectacular scenery, and agricultural character of Jo Daviess County, IL, and the surrounding area.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy (WI)

Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC) is a regional, non-profit land trust based in La Crosse that has permanently conserved more than 14,000 acres of blufflands, prairies, wetlands, and streams in southwestern Wisconsin since its founding in 1997. MVC works with private landowners and local communities on voluntary conservation projects in nine counties along or near the Mississippi River: Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Crawford, Richland and Grant Counties.

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust (NC)

Formed in 1992, The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has been working with landowners who wish to conserve lands with scenic, recreational, historic and/or ecological value. Their mission is to enrich the coastal communities of their state through the acquisition of open space and natural areas, conservation education and the promotion of good land stewardship. They are active throughout the Coastal Plain of North Carolina and aspire to bring together citizens and landowners, natives and newcomers, to set aside lands for conservation.

North Olympic Land Trust (WA)

North Olympic Land Trust was pioneered by several Clallam County friends and neighbors who wished to protect the amazing marine shoreline, spectacular wildlife habitat, magnificent forests, productive farmlands, and significant cultural heritage. Their mission is to conserve lands that sustain the communities of the Olympic Peninsula. North Olympic Land Trust protects special qualities of the North Olympic Peninsula in Clallam County, Washington, just outside the internationally treasured Olympic National Park. They protect habitat for salmon and other wildlife, farmland, sustainable timberland, clean water and air, scenic vistas and open space, and cultural heritage. To date, the North Olympic Land Trust has conserved more than 2,000 acres.

Pee Dee Land Trust (SC)

The mission of the Pee Dee Land Trust is to conserve, and to promote an appreciation of, the significant natural, agricultural, and historical resources of the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. They work diligently to foster the interconnectedness of people and the land. This interconnectedness is evident in their relationship to the water and the wildlife, as well as to the fields, farms and forests where they live. Their history has been shaped by this relationship, and an understanding of it can affect and improve their future.

Prickly Pear Land Trust (MT)

Prickly Pear Land Trust is an association of community-minded individuals committed to protecting the open space in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater and Jefferson Counties in Montana. Founded in 1996, the Trust now has almost 700 active members with backgrounds reflecting the diversity of the area. Their mission is to protect the natural diversity and rural character of the Prickly Pear Valley and adjoining lands through voluntary and cooperative means. They are dedicated to perpetuating the recreational, wildlife, scenic, agricultural and historic values of the land.

San Juan Preservation Trust (WA)

The San Juan Preservation Trust serves landowners who wish to protect the special features of their lands through voluntary private action. They offer the community the opportunity to create a legacy of unique natural areas and open spaces for future generations. They do this by counseling property owners on conservation techniques available to them, and on tax benefits which might be available to them from donations of land or easements. Their mission is to preserve and protect open spaces, scenic views, forests, agricultural lands, habitats, watersheds, riparian corridors, wetlands and shorelines in the San Juan Archipelago.

Taos Land Trust (NM)

Taos Land Trust was founded in 1988 by a group of community volunteers who watched a beautiful tract of open land get sold, just because the owners had no other options available to them but to pay exorbitant inheritance taxes. As the only New Mexico land trust north of Santa Fe, Taos Land Trust has worked to preserve that landscape and the many benefits it provides to the public through permanent land conservation. Today Taos Land Trust is one of the best established and most experienced land trusts in New Mexico, serving nine counties across the northern part of the state. Taos Land Trust conserves open, productive, and natural lands for the benefit of the community and culture of northern New Mexico.

The Wetlands Conservancy (OR)

Founded in 1981, The Wetlands Conservancy is working to conserve, protect, and restore Oregon’s wetlands. Wetlands play a key role in the health of our environment and community, being essential to water quality and supporting fish and wildlife, but Oregon is suffering substantial losses of quantity and diversity of its wetlands, and thereby the functions that they provide. They are the only organization in Oregon dedicated to promoting community and private partnerships to permanently protect and conserve Oregon’s greatest wetlands. For more than 30 years, The Wetlands Conservancy has educated and assisted landowners, neighborhood groups, land trusts, and watershed councils on local stewardship.

Three Valley Conservation Trust (OH)

Since 1994, Three Valley Conservation Trust has been recognized by farmers, landowners, developers, and public officials in southwest Ohio as an important resource for land protection, conservation planning, and environmentally-responsible development. Three Valley Conservation Trust partners with people and communities to conserve the cultural heritage and natural environment of its service area for the benefit of future generations.

Upper Valley Land Trust (NH)

The Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) helps people conserve land by engaging people in the vision and process of land conservation and in the stewardship of conserved lands. UVLT provides conservation leadership, tools and expertise to permanently protect the working farms, forested ridges, wildlife habitat, water resources, trails and scenic landscapes that surround residential areas and commercial centers and make the Upper Valley a truly special place to live. Their conservation projects secure the mixture of land uses so critical to the region’s vitality and identity. UVLT focuses its mission in 44 Vermont and New Hampshire towns in the upper Connecticut River valley.

Vinalhaven Land Trust (ME)

Vinalhaven Land Trust was incorporated in 1986, near the beginning of the land trust movement in downeast Maine. In the course of the twenty-five years since, they have succeeded in conserving many “whole places” that have significant natural features and little or no development. Vinalhaven Land Trust promotes the conservation of its island's significant plant and wildlife habitat, its water resources, and scenic or historic spaces in order to preserve the traditional character of the community for generations to come.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (PA)

Three years into the Great Depression, ten citizens came together to found a non-profit conservation organization. The organization’s goal was to alleviate widespread unemployment through public works programs that would also create a positive impact on the region’s natural resources. To date, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) has protected more than 232,000 acres of natural lands in Pennsylvania, helped to establish ten state parks, and protected or restored more than 1,500 miles of rivers and streams. In 1963, WPC was entrusted with Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterwork in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. They also enrich their region’s cities and towns through 140 community gardens and greenspaces that are planted with the help of 13,000 volunteers.

Whidbey Camano Land Trust (WA)

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust has protected thousands of acres in Island County since its founding in 1984. For more than 26 years the Whidbey Camano Land Trust has protected its islands’ most important natural habitats, scenic vistas, and working farms and forests in partnership with landowners and our island communities.

Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust (WY)

Founded by a general membership vote of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association in December 2000, The Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust is dedicated to conserving Wyoming's working family ranches and farms and the wide-open spaces, natural habitats, and rural communities they support. Their objectives are accomplished through conservation easements, increasing awareness of tools to maintain ranchlands, and assisting in research for new opportunities to conserve working agricultural landscapes. The Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust holds 57 conservation easements on 148,703 acres of ranchland.

Newly Accredited Land Trusts

prichardson — 2009-08-05T14:05:00Z

Congratulations to the twenty-three new land trusts that have just earned the important distinction of accreditation.

Thank you for all you do to strengthen land conservation!

Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (NH)

Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (ACT) was founded in 1999 by a group of friends and neighbors who shared a concern about the rapid loss of open lands in their community. After successfully raising the funds to purchase a local property slated for development, the group decided there was a need in the larger area for an organization which could assist in similar efforts, and created ACT.

Bayou Land Conservancy (TX)

Bayou Land Conservancy was formed in 1996 as an offshoot of the Bayou Preservation Association, a Houston group dedicated to protecting the bayou systems of Houston. To conserve the bayous and their water quality, the Conservancy protects the floodplain green spaces surrounding them. Since its inception, Bayou Land Conservancy has kept the land-water connection as its primary motivator for the land it protects, and all its conservation easements contain bayou tributaries.

Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (ME)

Founded in 1985, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT) conserves the remarkable diversity of the natural heritage of Brunswick, Topsham and Bowdoin. With the conservation of 1,900 acres of natural areas to date, BTLT is actively pursuing its mission to "preserve, protect and steward the cherished landscapes and rich natural resources of our communities, to provide access for recreation, and to support local agriculture and other traditional land uses, now and for generations to come."

Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust (WV)

Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust works throughout the Lost Cacapon River watershed to assist landowners and communities in maintaining healthy rivers, protecting forests and farmland, and in preserving rural heritage for the enjoyment and well being of present and future generations. To date, and with the community’s support, it has protected 38 parcels representing 10,336 acres.

Central Indiana Land Trust (IN)

Through land protection, stewardship and education, Central Indiana Land Trust preserves natural areas, improving air and water quality and enhancing life in its communities for present and future generations. It works in an 11 county region with a population of nearly 1.8 million people.

Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust (ME)

Founded in 1987, Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust was originally named the Cumberland Mainland & Islands Trust until, after the island of Chebeague seceded from Cumberland, it adapted to reflect its continued strong partnership with the new town. It has worked to protect vital natural resources in Cumberland and Chebeague including shoreline, nesting islands, wildlife habitat, wetlands, woodlands and farmland.

Chippewa Watershed Conservancy (MI)

Chippewa Watershed Conservancy works to protect open space and natural habitat in the Chippewa River Watershed in Central Michigan. The Conservancy protects sensitive wildlife habitat and open space and scenic views for future generations; this is accomplished through voluntary conservation easements and acquisition of land.

Columbia Land Trust (WA)

Since 1990, Columbia Land Trust has been working in the greater Columbia River region to conserve signature landscapes and vital habitats. By working collaboratively with landowners, local residents, government entities and other nonprofit organizations, the Columbia Land Trust has conserved more than 18,000 acres from the east side of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon and Washington.

Connecticut Farmland Trust (CT)

Founded in 2002, Connecticut Farmland Trust is the only private statewide conservation organization dedicated solely to permanently protecting Connecticut's farmland. It accomplishes this by: working with Connecticut farmers to protect their land for agricultural use by acquiring agricultural conservation easements and farmland; sharing expertise and technical knowledge to assist landowners, land trusts, town officials, and state agencies in protecting agricultural land; and promoting farmland preservation education through presentations and outreach.

Crested Butte Land Trust (CO)

Formed in 1991, Crested Butte Land Trust has worked with private landowners on a voluntary basis in Gunnison County, CO. Its purpose, in the words of former board member Jackie Ingham, is “preserving the present for the future.” To date, the land trust has facilitated the preservation of over 5,000 acres of land, of which almost half has been conserved by conservation easements.

Greenwich Land Trust (CT)

The need for a local land trust in Greenwich was recognized more than a decade before Greenwich Land Trust was incorporated in 1976, and since then the Greenwich Land Trust has worked every day to protect the community by conserving and caring for open space in the Greenwich area. Its work promotes the environmental health and well-being of the community and local residents by protecting waterways, trees and other natural vegetation.

Kettle Moraine Land Trust (WI)

Kettle Moraine Land Trust (KMLT) was formed in 2000 with the initial goal of protecting the Island Woods preserve on Lauderdale Lakes. Their work soon expanded to adjacent lakes, and today KMLT serves all of Walworth County, WI to protect land and to restore habitat through partnerships with agencies, landowners and the general public.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan (MI)

Land Conservancy of West Michigan, formerly the Natural Areas Conservancy of West Michigan, was founded in 1976 by a dedicated group of volunteers who sought to protect West Michigan's natural landscape. Today, with a professional staff and office in Grand Rapids, the Conservancy is the only land trust solely dedicated to the permanent protection of important natural lands and open space in West Michigan.

Lowcountry Open Land Trust (SC)

Founded in 1986, Lowcountry Open Land Trust is a local land conservation organization that is focused on preserving natural and rural land throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina. It has protected more than 88,000 acres of ecologically, agriculturally, and historically significant land. It also provides expertise, technical assistance and material support to numerous conservation groups and partnerships in the local area, across the Lowcountry.

Methow Conservancy (WA)

Methow Conservancy formed in 1996 from a merger between the Methow Valley Land Trust and the Methow Valley Environmental Center. What started as an energetic vision to protect land in the Valley has grown into a well-respected mainstay of the Methow Valley community. With a growing staff, active board and a strong membership base, the Conservancy continues to meet its mission to “inspire people to care for and conserve the land of the Methow Valley, ensuring it will remain a place where future generations can enjoy the rural character and natural beauty we cherish today.”

Mountain Area Land Trust (CO)

Mountain Area Land Trust, founded in 1992, today has a 2,000-square-mile service area across the mountain towns of Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey, Idaho Springs, Fairplay, and Georgetown. The land trust promotes the conservation of lands important for maintaining the integrity of local water quality, protecting wildlife habitats and agricultural lands, and creating regional parks for outdoor recreation through public education, community outreach and by providing technical assistance to craft conservation easements based on sound land management guidelines.

North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy (MI)

North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, founded in 1972, is a member-supported organization preserving open space in northwest Oakland County. To date, over 1,100 acres have been preserved in six townships, with parcels ranging from 1/2 acre to over 100 acres. The Conservancy accomplishes this by acquiring land and property easements to conserve the woods, fields, streams, wetlands and other natural features in the headwaters areas of the Clinton, Shiawassee, Huron, and Flint rivers.

Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association (ME)

Established in 1969, the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association is a land trust and advocacy group with a mission to conserve and restore the natural and historic heritage of the Sheepscot Watershed, which encompasses 320 square miles in mid-coast Maine. The organization currently protects more than 3,170 acres through purchases and conservation easements. This includes over 15 miles of Sheepscot River frontage.

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (MI)

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, created in 1991, works to permanently protect natural, historic and scenic landscapes in nine counties of southwest Michigan. SWMLC has protected more than 10,400 acres of dunes, wetlands, forests, savannas, prairies, farms and vineyards that give its region its distinctive character. These landscapes have been safeguarded through a combination of donations and purchases of conservation easements and fee title land.

Squam Lakes Conservation Society (NH)

Squam Lakes Conservation Society (SLCS), created in 1960, is dedicated to the protection of the natural environment in the Squam Lakes Region of central New Hampshire for the benefit of all present and future residents and visitors. SLCS achieves the long-term protection of land through conservation easements and land ownership, working toward its goal of a unique region of islands, shorefront, back lands, and mountains wherein a harmony between the natural environment and mankind is preserved forever.

The Nature Conservancy (VA)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The organization addresses the most pressing conservation threats at the largest scale. Founded in 1951, it has protected more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide, and operates in more than 100 marine conservation projects globally. It works in all 50 states and more than 30 countries – protecting habitats from grasslands to coral reefs, from Australia to Alaska to Zambia.

Vermont Land Trust (VT)

Since 1977, Vermont Land Trust has permanently conserved more than 1,650 parcels of land covering more than 500,000 acres, or about eight percent of the private, undeveloped land in the state. The conserved land includes more than 700 working farms, hundreds of thousands of acres of productive forestland, and numerous parcels of community land. Vermont Land Trust is working to protect the land that gives Vermont its rural character and makes the state so special.

Whatcom Land Trust (WA)

Since Whatcom Land Trust was created in 1983, it has worked to preserve and protect wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands in Whatcom County for future generations by securing interests in land and promoting land stewardship. Using creative and sometimes complex solutions, Whatcom Land Trust works collaboratively with private landowners, communities, public agencies and other organizations to ensure the local, natural resources that sustained the community in the past continue to enhance quality of life.

Local land trust invites accreditation comments

prichardson — 2009-07-28T03:05:00Z

July 9, 2009 | Connecticut

Northern Prairies Land Trust earns accreditation

prichardson — 2009-07-28T02:55:00Z

July 20, 2009 | South Dakota

Rabbitbrush Rambler

prichardson — 2009-07-06T16:30:00Z

June 29, 2009 | Colorado

Land Trust Earns National Recognition

prichardson — 2009-06-15T16:57:30Z

May 28, 2009 | California

Six Newly Accredited Land Conservation Groups Join Growing Number Accredited by Commission

fdalleo@lta.org — 2009-05-27T13:47:35Z

Congratulations to the six land trusts that have just been awarded accreditation! This brings the total number of land conservation groups from across the country that have earned this important distinction to 59. All are members of the Land Trust Alliance.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, made the announcement May 27.

The group of newly accredited land trusts includes land trusts protecting vast forests in Maine, wind-swept prairies in South Dakota and Nebraska, coastal bluffs and ranches in southern California, pristine watersheds in Washington and Wisconsin, and rolling Ohio farms. What they all have in common is their proven commitment to meeting national standards for excellence, upholding the public trust and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent.

“The success of these land trusts directly depends on retaining the public’s trust, as well as the confidence of Congress and the IRS who have granted land conservation special tax incentives,” said Rand Wentworth, president of the Land Trust Alliance. “Accreditation is one way to demonstrate to the public that land trusts are operating at the highest standards.”

Read the press release from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission >>

Learn more about the six newly accredited land trusts >>

See a list of all 59 accredited land trusts that have been accredited since the fall of 2008 >>