Submitted by: Whatcom Land Trust
Whatcom Land Trust is pleased to announce that it is being recognized for having completed the rigorous process to achieve renewed accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance’s Accreditation Commission, a program promoting national quality standards for ensuring permanence in the conservation of American lands. Whatcom Land Trust was one of 34 land trusts nationwide to receive this distinction. Whatcom Land Trust was awarded its initial accreditation on August 16, 2012.
According to the commission, “These land trusts have earned the highest mark of national recognition. And these community-based organizations are saving land people care about, town-by-town, across America.” Accredited land trusts have conserved nearly 20 million acres of farmland, forests, wildlife habitat and important water supplies. In Washington State the Columbia Land Trust and the Methow Conservancy joined Whatcom Land Trust in achieving renewed accreditation.
“This recognition reflects our dedication to protecting and stewarding the places, resources and standard of living that make living, working and playing in Whatcom County so special,” said Executive Director Rich Bowers. “It demonstrates that our work meets national standards for conservation excellence and assures the public and the Whatcom Community of our commitment and promise to the importance and permanence of land protection.”
The distinction and seal awarded by the Commission indicates these accredited groups demonstrate sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance and lasting stewardship of the lands they protect. The Commission is an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America.
Accredited land trusts must renew every five years through an in-depth process of self- and peer-review. Successful completion confirms compliance with national quality standards and provides continued assurance to donors, landowners and communities served of their commitment to forever care for their land and easements.
Whatcom Land Trust’s President Chris Moench added, “The achievement of accreditation affirms that Whatcom Land Trust does its work at the highest standards. Those standards apply to the lands we commit to protect and care for, to the integrity of the way we manage the funds our supporters give us to do that conservation, and to the relationships we maintain with our supporters, partners and to the broader community. Here in Whatcom County we are blessed with a remarkably beautiful and verdant natural heritage. Whatcom Land Trust is honored to be the key local organization enabling individual land owners, concerned citizens, businesses and others in their efforts to protect that heritage for future generations. We take that work very seriously.”
Photo credit: Kate Galambos
