For residents across southern Michigan, the trails they walk, the farms that grow food, and the natural areas that protect clean water just received an added layer of protection. Legacy Land Conservancy has once again earned national accreditation–and independent verification that the organization meets the highest standards for permanently protecting land and stewarding it for future generations.
At a time of increasing development pressure, shifting federal environmental priorities, and changing legal landscapes, accreditation provides added assurance that protected land will remain protected now, and always.
“For local landowners, accreditation means trusting that their family land will be cared for long after they’re gone,” Legacy Land Conservancy Board of Trustees Chair Bill Strohaver said.
Accreditation through an independent entity, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, verifies that Legacy Land Conservancy has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship practices to ensure it can keep its promise to protect land forever. To achieve this prestigious status staff spent 18 months and more than 300 hours engaged in this rigorous audit, taking a look at the entire organization’s practices, standards and procedures to ensure it meets or exceeds national standards.
“The role of renewing accreditation has always been to maintain public trust in the accreditation seal by ensuring accredited land trusts continue to meet national standards,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission. “Legacy Land Conservancy has been part of this program for more than 15 years and we are proud to recognize their commitment to conservation excellence.”
Legacy Land Conservancy has been an accredited land trust through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission since 2008. The accreditation program confirms that Legacy Land Conservancy has the policies and programs in place to keep its promise to protect land forever. This includes the long-term stewardship of more than 11,000 acres across three counties–land that supports local farms, protects water quality, and provides public access to nature.
Legacy joins more than 470 accredited land trusts stewarding over 50 million acres across the country.
With the support of partners, donors, and volunteers, Legacy Land Conservancy has protected thousands of acres of land that play a critical role in the well-being of our entire Great Lakes region. These efforts help filter millions of gallons of drinking water, support community farms growing our food, and provide access to welcoming spaces for people to connect with nature.
Without strong national standards, protected land and conservation easements can be vulnerable to legal challenges or mismanagement putting decades of land protection at risk.
“This recognition is about the land our community depends on,” Legacy Land Conservancy Executive Director Diana Kern said. “Accreditation helps ensure the places people care about today will still be here for generations to come.”
A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
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