Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence
One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the natural spaces they love. Since 1990, North Olympic Land Trust has been doing just that for the people of Clallam County. Now North Olympic Land Trust announced it has successfully renewed its land trust accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission – proving once again that, as part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to conservation excellence.
“Renewing our accreditation shows our ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Clallam County,” said Tom Sanford, Executive Director. “We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength affirms that special places – such as the Lyre Conservation Area – will be protected forever, making the Olympic Peninsula an even greater place for now and in the future.”
First accredited in 2012, North Olympic Land Trust has maintained this prestigious designation by providing extensive documentation and to a comprehensive third-party evaluation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that North Olympic Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward over 20 million acres – the size of Olympic, Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Everglades National Parks combined.
Dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities, North Olympic Land Trust protects land by working together with willing landowners and seeking available funding sources. Most recently, the Land Trust placed a conservation easement on the 56-acre Mid Valley Farm in Sequim – marking the 24th farm the organization has helped protect. Additionally, North Olympic Land Trust manages four conservation areas with free public access that are spread across Clallam County.
“We are proud to recognize North Olympic Land Trust’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust and permanence. North Olympic Land Trust is part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities.”
North Olympic Land Trust is one of 1,281 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 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.
