Land Trust achieves accreditation renewal
The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is excited to announce that it has renewed its land trust accreditation and is now one of over 400 accredited land trusts nationwide.
Bainbridge Island, WA (Aug. 2, 2018) – One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 1989, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust has been doing just that for the people of Bainbridge Island and the Puget Sound Region. Now the Bainbridge Island Land Trust is excited to announce that it has renewed its land trust accreditation – proving once again that, as part of a network of over 400 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.
“Renewing our accreditation shows the Bainbridge Island Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to permanent land, habitat, and water resource conservation on Bainbridge Island,” said Jane Stone, executive director. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength and continued community support mean special places – such as the Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve, Hilltop and the Grand Forest, and the Agate Passage Preserve – will be protected forever, making Bainbridge Island an even greater place for everyone, forever.”
The Bainbridge Island 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 the Bainbridge Island Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now protect and steward almost 20 million acres nationwide.
“It is exciting to recognize Bainbridge Island Land Trust’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, 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.”
The Bainbridge Island 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 Bainbridge Island Land Trust
The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is a local 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 1989 with the mission to preserve and steward the diverse natural environment of Bainbridge Island for the benefit of all. The work and accomplishments of their staff and all-volunteer 15-person Board of Directors are made possible primarily through private support. Over the Land Trust’s nearly 30-year history, they have helped protect over 1,362 acres of land on this Island and counting, with 1,048 open to the public as parks and preserves. With its current Stand for the Land property acquisition capital campaign, the Land Trust will continue to grow conservation lands to keep pace with ongoing Island development and protect important habitat and water resources.
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. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices.
The Alliance’s leadership serves the entire land trust community—our work in the nation’s capital represents the policy priorities of land conservationists from every state; our education programs improve and empower land trusts from Maine to Alaska; and our comprehensive vision for the future of land conservation includes new partners, new programs and new priorities. Connect with us online at www.landtrustalliance.org.