We are celebrating a very important achievement – DCC’s accreditation has been renewed by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. An independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, this status was first awarded to DCC in 2017 and is now renewed for an additional five-year period. The rigorous application process is a thorough audit of DCC’s operations in governance, finance, land transactions, fundraising, and stewardship. Accreditation is a mark of distinction, recognizing land trusts that meet the national quality standards established by the land conservation community. This status shows our supporters and the wider land trust community that Downeast Coastal Conservancy operates at the highest level of professionalism in all facets of conservation work.
“We are celebrating this achievement as a moment of recognition to everyone within the greater DCC family,” notes DCC’S Executive Director Colin Brown. “Board members, volunteer-led committees, financial supporters and donors, partner organizations, stewardship volunteers, foundation funders, community leaders, and local businesses are all crucial to carrying out DCC’s mission. Thank you for helping us along the way!”
DCC provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that DCC’s lands will be protected forever.
“We are proud to recognize DCC’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust and permanence. DCC is part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities.”
DCC is one of 1,281 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 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.