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Flathead Land Trust Earns National Recognition

By Beacon Staff

Flathead Land Trust has been awarded accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the organization announced Aug. 5.

Flathead Land Trust is one of 230 land trusts from across the country to receive accreditation since 2008.

“We are excited and proud to have earned our accreditation status. Having completed the rigorous accreditation process is beneficial to demonstrate to funding organizations and other supporters that we meet the best standards in the nation for land trusts and land conservation,” Alison Young, the trust’s interim executive director and board president said in a statement.

Each accredited land trust submitted documentation and underwent review.

“Through accreditation land trusts conduct important planning and make their operations more efficient and strategic to help ensure that their conservation work is permanent,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Accreditation Commission.

Flathead Land Trust is now able to display a seal of accreditation indicating to the public that it meets national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent. The seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation.

“Land trusts are gaining higher profiles with their work on behalf of citizens and the seal of accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission is a way to prove to their communities that land trusts are worthy of the significant public and private investment in land conservation,” said Rand Wentworth, president of the Land Trust Alliance, a national organization assisting land trusts nationwide.

Flathead Land Trust was established in 1985 by community members concerned about the rapidly growing population and maintaining the Flathead Valley’s natural beauty, clean water, and special places that sustain our high quality of life. Flathead Land Trust has worked with private landowners to conserve over 10,000 acres locally of important fish and wildlife habitat and farmland through 51 perpetual legal agreements called conservation easements.

“As an accredited land trust we will be able to maintain the trust of landowners, partners, and the public and further demonstrate that we are professional and effective partners in the stewardship of the conservation lands we are committed to preserve,” Young said.