Public Notice

Rivers & Lands Conservancy is applying for the renewal of our accreditation as a land trust and a public comment period is now open.

“Land trusts across the country permanently protect more than 40 million acres of farms, forests, parks and natural areas that are vital to healthy, vibrant communities. Accreditation advances excellence among land trusts, and provides the public, landowners, and donors with the confidence that these important conserved lands will be protected forever.

Voluntary accreditation provides independent verification that land trusts meet the high standards for land conservation, stewardship and nonprofit management in the nationally recognized Land Trust Standards and Practices. Accredited land trusts now conserve almost 80% of all land under conservation easement or owned in fee by land trusts, ensuring the promise of perpetuity.”

            --Land Trust Accreditation Commission, 2018

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Rivers & Lands Conservancy complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust.

For the full list of standards visit the Land Trust Alliance site here.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

Only written comments are accepted and can emailed to info@landtrustaccreditation.org or faxed to 518-587-3183.

Comments may also be mailed to:

Land Trust Accreditation Commission
Attn: Public Comments
36 Phila Street, Suite 2,
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s application will be most useful by July 24, 2020.