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Accreditation

Stowe Land Trust Earns Continued National Recognition

February 22, 2021

Stowe Land Trust is proud to announce that we have achieved renewed land trust accreditation for the second time from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. We have provide once again that, as part of a network of over 400 accredited land trusts across the nation, we are committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.

“Renewing our accreditation shows Stowe Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation for the benefit of the Stowe community, said David Wilkens, Stowe Land Trust’s board chair. “We are a stronger organization than ever for having again gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength and commitment mean special places – such as Cady HillBrownsville-Story Ridge Forest and Sunset Rock – will be protected forever, helping to make Stowe a beautiful and healthy place for all of us and the next generation.”

Stowe 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 Stowe Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Beginning with the conservation of the Mayo Farm more than 30 years ago, Stowe Land Trust has helped to protect thousands of acres of productive farm, forest and recreation lands that most recently include critical forest and habitat in the Shutesville Hill Wildlife Corridor and along the Worcester Range. Through its Summer Naturalist Program, Stowe Land Trust is also ensuring public lands and trails are enjoyed by everyone by working with local schools and partners to get more youth and families outside exploring and helping to care for conserved lands.

“It is exciting to recognize Stowe 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.”

Stowe 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 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.

According to the Land Trust Alliance, conserving land helps ensure clean air and drinking water; safe, healthy food; scenic landscapes and views; recreational places; and habitat for the diversity of life on earth. In addition to health and food benefits, conserving land increases property values near greenbelts, saves tax dollars by encouraging more efficient development, and reduces the need for expensive water filtration facilities. Community leaders in land trusts throughout the country have worked with willing landowners to save over 47 million acres of farms, forests, parks and places people care about, including land transferred to public agencies and protected via other means. Strong, well-managed land trusts provide local communities with effective champions and caretakers of their critical land resources, and safeguard the land through the generations. 

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, based in Saratoga Springs, NY, is governed by a volunteer Board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country. The Alliance, of which Stowe Land Trust is a member, is a national conservation group based in Washington, D.C. that works to strengthen conservation throughout America.