The Impact of Accreditation

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has achieved national recognition – joining a network of over 400 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in their work.

“Accreditation demonstrates Inland Northwest Land Conservancy’s commitment to permanent land conservation in eastern Washington and northern Idaho,” said Dave Schaub, Executive Director. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation program. Our strength means special places will be protected forever, making eastern Washington and northern Idaho an even greater place for us and our children.”

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that Inland Northwest Land Conservancy’s lands will be protected forever.

“We have nearly 12,000 acres of private land under our permanent protection,” said Chris DeForest, Conservation Director. “Plus we have worked with partners to bring nearly 8,000 acres of land into public ownership and access.”

“It is exciting to recognize Inland Northwest Land Conservancy with this national mark of distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust the more than 400 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”

According to the Land Trust Alliance, 85% of public agencies said accreditation increases their confidence in land trusts. Accreditation enhances Inland Northwest Land Trust’s ability to work with private and government partners on important projects along the Coeur d’Alene River and on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. You can learn more about the Impact of Accreditation at http://www.landtrustalliance.org/news/impact-accreditation.

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy is one of 1,363 land trusts 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.

About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

About the Land Trust Alliance

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices.

The Alliance’s leadership serves the entire land trust community—our work in the nation’s capital represents the policy priorities of land conservationists from every state; our education programs improve and empower land trusts from Maine to Alaska; and our comprehensive vision for the future of land conservation includes new partners, new programs and new priorities. Connect with us online at www.landtrustalliance.org.