Assurance for landowners

In her work at Upstate Forever to protect special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina, Erin Jordan Knight has encountered landowners who understandably question how they can be sure that future enforcers of their easements will be fair.

“They say, ‘I really like you — but how do I know that someone enforcing this down the road will be as reasonable as you?’” says Knight, who directs Upstate Forever’s Land Trust Program. Accreditation is a good answer, Knight says. “It is reassuring to landowners that there are standards and practices behind what we do.”

Upstate Forever achieved accreditation in 2008 and renewal in 2014.

“We feel like accreditation is a part of who we are now — we’re really proud of it,” says Knight. “It really has been the best thing we’ve ever done in terms of improving our organization. One of the main benefits is how it has us looking internally on a constant basis to make sure we’re living up to standards and practices. Having external deadlines forces you to spend the time on growth and improvement.”

Learn more about accreditation by visiting the Land Trust Accreditation Commission's website.