The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, announced that Eastern Sierra Land Trust has been awarded accredited status.

“Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever,” said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. “The accreditation seal lets the public know that the accredited land trust has undergone an extensive, external review of the governance and management of its organization and the systems and policies it uses to protect land.”

“Eastern Sierra Land Trust’s accredited status demonstrates our commitment to permanent land conservation,” says Karen Ferrell-Ingram, Executive Director of ESLT. “ESLT is definitely a stronger organization today having gone through the rigorous accreditation program.”

Eastern Sierra Land Trust was awarded accreditation this February and is one of 130 land trusts from across the country that has been awarded accreditation since the fall of 2008. Accredited land trusts are able to display a seal indicating to the public that they meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust, and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. The seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., awards the accreditation seal to community institutions that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance established in 2006, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country. The Alliance, of which Eastern Sierra Land Trust is a member, is a national conservation group based in Washington, D.C. that works to save the places people love by strengthening conservation throughout America. More information on the accreditation program is available on the Commission’s website, www.landtrustaccreditation.org. More information on the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.

Accreditation is a seal of approval that ensures that land like this organic alfalfa ranch will be preserved effectively in perpetuity.