Public Comments Invited: Foothills Conservancy Seeks to Renew National Accreditation

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of national accreditation as a land trust.The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. In 2010, Foothills Conservancy was among the first 113 land trusts in the United States to be awarded national accreditation, which must be renewed each five years.A public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the national Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.“Because national accreditation is a rigorous process which reviews and evaluates our standards and procedures, our supporters, stakeholders and regional community can rest assured that Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a proficient and skilled organization, capable of completing even the most complicated transactions with ease,” says Executive Director Susie Hamrick Jones.The Land Trust Accreditation Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/tips-and-tools/indicator-practices.To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.Comments on Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina’s application will be most useful if made by October 30.