Ithaca, N.Y. – The Finger Lakes Land Trust is pleased to announce that it has been selected to apply for accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

The Land Trust Accreditation Program recognizes land trusts that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural, agricultural, recreational and cultural lands and resources forever.  The Commission conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Accredited organizations are united by strong ethical practices and a commitment to the long-term stewardship of land and conservation easements in the public interest.

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications.  The Finger Lakes Land Trust invites the community to participate in the accreditation process by submitting a comment to the Commission relating to your experiences working with FLLT on land conservation projects, visiting our parks or participating in our activities.  Comments must relate to how the Finger Lakes Land Trust 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, please visit http://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 the Finger Lakes Land Trust’s application will be most useful by May 24, 2015.

The Finger Lakes Land Trust is a member supported, non-profit conservation organization that works cooperatively with landowners and local communities to permanently protect those lands that are vital to the character of the Finger Lakes Region.  To date, the Land Trust has worked with partners to secure more than 17,000 acres of the region’s undeveloped shoreline, scenic farmland, rugged gorges, and majestic forest.  The organization today owns and manages 34 conservation areas that are accessible to the public and holds conservation easements on 114 properties that remain in private ownership.  Additional information on the Land Trust may be found at www.fllt.org.