The Wareham Land Trust has had a big year 2013. The trust opened the Douglas Westgate conservation site in November, and now it has earned national attention.

The trust, along with ten additional organizations, was awarded the national distinction of land trust accreditation. The awards were announced by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

“Accredited land trusts account for 52% of the 20,645,165 acres currently owned in fee or protected by a conservation easement held by a land trust,” said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. “Accreditation provides the public with an assurance that accredited land trusts meet high standards for quality and that the results of their conservation work are permanent.”

“Land trusts are gaining higher profiles with their work on behalf of citizens, and the seal of accreditation is a way to prove to their communities that land trusts are worthy of the significant public and private investment in land conservation,” noted Land Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth.

Kevin Bartsch, Wareham Land Trust president, added: “We are pleased to receive this distinction from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.  This milestone is the culmination of years of preparation by every member of our volunteer board.  The seal of accreditation attests to the organization’s ability to successfully run an ethical and sustainable non-profit land trust.”

Each accredited land trust submitted extensive documentation and underwent a rigorous review.

“Through accreditation, land trusts conduct important planning and make their operations more efficient and strategic,” said Van Ryn. “Accredited organizations have engaged and capable citizen conservation leaders and improved systems for ensuring that their conservation work is permanent.”

Accredited land trusts span the country from Alaska to Florida and Maine to Arizona. What all have in common is a proven commitment to meeting national standards for excellence, upholding the public trust and ensuring that their conservation efforts are permanent.

See more at: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/newsroom/press-releases/439-11-add...