Pittsburgh, Pa. – June 13, 2022 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is currently applying for renewal of its accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. A public comment period is now underway through September 16.
Incorporated in 2008, the land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for permanently protecting important natural places and working lands. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy sought and received initial accreditation in 2012.
As part of the accreditation renewal process, the Commission conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs every five years to confirm that the land trust still complies with national quality standards, demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence and maintains the public’s trust in conservation work.
“This is an important process that confirms to landowners, members and the public our continued commitment to operate in accordance with the highest standards in land conservation and nonprofit management, and to steward the protected lands and easements in our care,” says Conservancy President and CEO Tom Saunders.
A public comment period is now open, during which the Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on the Conservancy’s accreditation renewal application. Comments must relate to how the Conservancy complies with criteria that address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For a full list of these standards, visit: LandTrustAccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit LandTrustAccreditation.org or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org.
Comments may also be faxed to 518-587-3183 or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission at 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Please add “Attn: Public Comments” on the fax, envelope or in the subject line.
Comments on the Conservancy’s application must be submitted by September 16, 2022.
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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped establish 11 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands, protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, and assessed thousands of wildlife species and their habitats. The Conservancy owns and operates Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces and thousands of trees that are planted with the help of more than 7,000 volunteers. The work of the Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.
Media Contact:
Carmen Bray
Director of Communications
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
412-586-2358 – work
cbray@paconserve.org