Aug. 17, 2016
North Coast Land Conservancy today announced it has achieved national accreditation: a mark of distinction in land conservation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that NCLC’s lands will be protected forever.
Almost 15 million acres of farms, forests and natural areas vital to healthy communities—an area about the size of the state of West Virginia—are now permanently conserved by some 350 accredited land trusts across the country.
“We are thrilled to have achieved national accreditation in our 30th year, as we embark on some of our most ambitious conservation projects ever,” said Executive Director Katie Voelke. “The rigorous application process has made us stronger, and our success demonstrates to our supporters that we can be relied upon to effectively do what we say we do: helping to conserve Oregon’s coastal lands forever.”
North Coast Land Conservancy has been working since 1986 to conserve and connect the landscape of the Oregon Coast from the Columbia River to northern Lincoln County. To date NCLC has conserved nearly 4800 acres of forest, wetland, and coastal prairie habitat on the Oregon Coast. Most recently, NCLC acquired a 340-acre property known as Boneyard Ridge, creating a 3500-acre contiguous conservation corridor stretching over Tillamook Head from the Pacific Ocean to the Necanicum River.
NCLC was among 38 land trusts across the United States to achieve accreditation or to have accreditation renewed in August. National accreditation helps to demonstrate a land trust’s commitment to professional excellence, helping to maintain the public’s trust in its work.
“It is exciting to recognize North Coast Land Conservancy with this distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Accredited land trusts stand together, united behind strong ethical standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever. This network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership and lasting stewardship of conservation land.”
Each accredited land trusts meets extensive documentation requirements and undergoes a comprehensive review as part of its accreditation application. The process is rigorous and strengthens land trusts so they can help landowners and communities achieve their goals.
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.
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents more than 1100 member land trusts supported by more than 100,000 volunteers and 5 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C. and operates several regional offices.
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