McKenzie River Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for its third accreditation renewal through the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Land Trust Accreditation Program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. As part of the process, a public comment period is now open.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence.
Since 2011, McKenzie River Trust has maintained its accreditation by regularly completing the reaccreditation process, which involves a rigorous review of its fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions, and lasting stewardship of the lands it conserves.
“For more than a decade, McKenzie River Trust has maintained its accreditation. This process ensures the work we do today to protect and care for Oregon’s lands and waters will endure well into the future. Accreditation is a promise to our staff, partner landowners, and donors that their contributions are upheld to the highest standard through responsible governance, sustainable land transactions and stewardship, ethical operations, and sound fiscal management,” shared Sarah Merkle, Director of Development for the Trust. “We encourage our members, partner landowners, and collaborators within our network to weigh in with any thoughts they may have as we seek to renew our accreditation.”
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how McKenzie River Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards, visit the Land Trust Accrediation Resource Page online.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Comments on McKenzie River Trust’s application will be most useful by Monday, December 22nd.
