Land Trust Accreditation Commission

“The land trust alliance, inc. Is the sole member of the land trust accreditation commission.”

“The land trust alliance, inc. Is the sole member of the land trust accreditation commission and has the right to elect members of its governing board.”

“The land trust alliance, inc. Is the sole member of the land trust accreditation commission and has the right to elect members of its governing board and to approve changes to the bylaws.”

“The executive director and treasurer review the form 990 for completeness and accuracy and forward it to the full board for review and comment. The treasurer authorizes the executive director to sign the form 990.”

“The commission follows a comprehensive conflict of interest policy that is posted on its website. Conflicted parties shall not participate in commission decisions. Commissioners and staff disclose conflicts at least annually. Conflicted parties are prohibited from participating in the discussion or vote on a conflicted matter and must leave the room during in-person meetings or sever the phone connection during conference call meetings.”

“In 2012, the land trust alliance board established a compensation committee which contracted for an independent review, including review of comparability data, of the compensation of the executive director. In 2013, the alliance conducted a compensation review for non-executive staff including comparability data. This data was used to evaluate and determine the compensation for other commission staff in 2017.”

“The commission makes its form 990 and conflict of interest policy available on its website and provides copies of its governing documents upon request. A copy of the most recent audited financial statement for the commission and its supported organization, the land trust alliance, inc. Is available upon request to the land trust alliance.”

“The mission of the land trust accreditation commission is to inspire excellence, promote public trust and ensure permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing land trust organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and that strive for continuous improvement.”

“Established in 2006 as an independent program of the land trust alliance, the purpose of the land trust accreditation commission is to build and recognize strong land trusts, foster public confidence in land conservation and help ensure the long-term protection of conservation land by operating an accreditation program for land trusts. See above for the commission's mission statement.”

“In 2017 the land trust accreditation commission awarded accreditation to 32 first-time applicants and also awarded renewed accreditation to 28 land trusts. The year ended with 386 accredited land trusts protecting more than 78% of all land and conservation easements held by land trusts. Data published in 2016 showed accredited land trusts have protected five times more land, are five times more likely to monitor 100% of their conservation easements every year and to have baseline documentation reports for every easement, and have significanlty more money to defend and steward their conservation holdings than their counterparts that are not yet accredited. Volunteer commissioners participated in over 100 conference calls as part of the accreditation application review process. The commission worked with the land trust alliance on the finalization of the 2017 edition of land trust standards and practices and developed and solicited feedback on draft requirements related to the revised standards.”

“The supported organization has a board committee that provides oversight over the consolidated audit and selection of the independent auditor.”