Conservancy renews land trust accreditation

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced that it has renewed its land trust accreditation via the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

“Renewing our accreditation demonstrates the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in the Upper Delaware River region,” said Executive Director Diane Rosencrance. “We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process, now for the second time since first achieving national accreditation in 2011. This evolution of the Conservancy means the special places of our region - the forests, farms, clean waters, and wildlife habitat - will be protected forever, ensuring our wonderful quality of life is protected now and for future generations.”

Accredited land trusts must renew every five years, confirming their compliance with national quality standards and providing continued assurance to donors and landowners of their commitment to forever steward their land and easements.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy provided extensive documentation and underwent a comprehensive review as part of its accreditation renewal. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded the renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that the Conservancy’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward over 20 million acres-the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island combined.

Since 1994, Delaware Highlands Conservancy has been supporting saving natural spaces for the people of the Upper Delaware River region in PA and NY. It has helped to protect more than 18,000 acres of working farms and forests, clean waters, and wildlife habitat to date in Pennsylvania and New York, and offers year-round educational programming to connect people to nature and cultivate stewardship of regional lands.

“We are proud to recognize the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust, and permanence. The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities.”

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is one of 1,281 land trust across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

The organization works in partnership with landowners and communities to protect the natural heritage and quality of life of the Upper Delaware River region. For more information on the Conservancy, call 570-226-3164/845-583-1010 or visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.