Land trust public notice

From the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy...

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is pleased to announce its application for accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is a volunteer-based non-profit organization working to conserve the clean water, unique plant and animal habitat, farmland and scenic beauty of the mountains of NC and TN for the benefit of present and future generations.

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. A volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country governs the Commission, which was established in 2006.

They conduct an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. The land trust accreditation seal provides a mark of distinction in land conservation.

“Accreditation provides the public with an assurance that land trusts meet high standards for quality and that their conservation work is permanent,” said Commission Executive Director, Tammara Van Ryn.

According to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, accreditation will provide public recognition of land trusts that are engaged in the long-term protection of the land in the public interest. This will increase public awareness of, and confidence in, land trusts and land conservation. Land trusts use the accreditation application process as a way to fine-tune their policies and streamline their operations.

There are currently three accredited land trusts in North Carolina and a total of 59 in the country. Nationwide there are 42 land trusts currently seeking accreditation. Four are located in North Carolina, one of which is the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

“Becoming accredited is a crucial step for SAHC in order to assure our members, the landowners with whom we work, and the public that we follow rigorous ethical and professional standards. SAHC has always held itself to the highest possible standards. This is our opportunity to be recognized formally for doing so,” said Carl Silverstein, SAHC Executive Director.

A public comment period is now open. The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust.

Indicator practices are chosen based on the following criteria: responsible governance of the organization, protection of the public interest with sound and sustainable land transactions and stewardship, ethical operations, accountability to donors and the public, compliance with all laws, such as IRC §170(h) and §501(c)(3). For more details on the list of standards visit: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/getting-accredited/2008-indicator-practices.

Comments on the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s application will be most useful by Aug. 29, 2009.

In the last three decades, the conservancy and its 1,500 members have protected more than 40,000 acres, including key sites adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Highlands of Roan, and Sandy Mush farmland. Its headquarters is in Asheville and the field office is in Kingsport, Tenn.