• North Shore Land Alliance Re-accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

    We are proud to announce that the Land Alliance has been awarded renewed accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission! Board Chair Hoyle Jones explained that “the multi-year process was rigorous and thorough in reviewing all project transactions, policies and financials since the first accreditation approval in 2015.” Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation. Each accredited land trust completes a rigorous review process and joins a network of organizations united by strong ethical practices. Each member of this trusted network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. Nonprofit organizations, including land trusts, are increasingly called on to demonstrate their accountability to the public. Accredited land trusts have voluntarily submitted their organizations to an external, independent review of their practices. As a result, accreditation provides the public with the assurance that the land trust displaying the accreditation seal meets established standards for organizational quality and permanent land conservation. Land trusts help conserve land that is essential to our health and well-being. When land trusts agree to protect land for the benefit of the public, in most cases they do so by promising that the protection is forever. The accreditation program verifies that the land trust has the policies and programs in place to keep this promise, either by caring for the land itself or transferring the land to an entity that can. As of April 2025, there are 479 accredited land trusts in 46 U.S. states and territories. Accredited land trusts protect 84% of land and easements held by all land trusts which total over 51 million acres of land. When asked about the process, Lisa Ott, President and CEO, said “Accreditation is about assuring our work can live up to the important goals of conservation in perpetuity. We find it easier to grasp the meaning of perpetuity when we see the excitement of a child visiting our preserves or the pride exhibited by our stewardship team and volunteers when native habitats have been restored. Thinking about the impacts these places will have on their lives, that these places will be protected for generations to come, we can’t help but be inspired to strive to do more and do it well.” It is estimated that the Land Alliance team spent more than 700 hours completing the process. With many thanks to them and our pro-bono legal counsel (Lisa’s husband, Gil Ott).


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