The following was submitted by Sudbury Valley Trustees:
Since 1953, Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) has been working to protect natural areas for people and wildlife. SVT cares for over 4200 acres of land and maintains over 55 miles of trails in a 36 community region that surrounds the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers. SVT is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). The accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.
SVT is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation this fall. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. The commission also seeks public input on how well an applicant complies with standards governing the operations of land trusts. The public comment period is now open.
Comments must relate to how SVT complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and- resources/indicator-practices.
“Accreditation affirms that we are working to the highest standards and practices in land conservation,” says Lisa Vernegaard, Executive Director of SVT. “It is essential for any organization to periodically take stock of its own practices. This review ensures we are doing right by our members’ support. The process of accreditation also benefits SVT by keeping us on the leading edge of good conservation practices.”
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 faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587- 3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Comments on Sudbury Valley Trustees’ application will be most useful by December 31, 2017.
