Rensselaer Land Trust Earns National Accreditation for the Third Time
Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence
Troy, New York (September 15, 2020) – One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 1987, Rensselaer Land Trust has been doing just that for the people of New York’s capital region. Now Rensselaer Land Trust has announced it has received land trust accreditation for the third time – proving once again that, as part of a network of over 400 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.
“Renewing our accreditation again shows Rensselaer Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in New York’s capital region,” said Bob Crowley, President of the Rensselaer Land Trust Board of Directors. “We are a stronger land trust than ever for having gone through the rigorous renewal process. Our strength means special places – such as our soon-to-be opened Featherweald Preserve in Cambridge – will be protected forever.”
Rensselaer Land Trust provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that Rensselaer Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres nationwide – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
“We are very excited about receiving reaccreditation from the Commission,” says Rensselaer Land Trust Executive Director John Winter. “RLT was one of the first land trusts nationally to receive accreditation in 2008 and has worked hard to ensure it meets national standards for excellence in our industry ever since. We wish to thank the Accreditation Commission and the Land Trust Alliance for administering this important program and our community for their continued support of land conservation in our region.”
“It is exciting to recognize Rensselaer Land Trust’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust the more than 400 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”
Rensselaer Land Trust is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
About Rensselaer Land Trust
Rensselaer Land Trust protects the open spaces, watersheds and natural habitats of New York’s capital region for the benefit of our communities and future generations. For 33 years we have conserved important lands in our area through voluntary land protection agreements and land donations and purchases with conservation-minded landowners. For more information visit: undefined or call 518-659-LAND (5263).
About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more information, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
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