First local land trust in Indiana and one of only 181 nationwide to be accredited –
The Central Indiana Land Trust has achieved accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. It is the first land trust in Indiana to earn the designation.
“For 22 years, Hoosiers have turned to the Central Indiana Land Trust to help protect forests, farms and places they care about,” said Heather Bacher, executive director. “Going through this rigorous process has made our organization even stronger and will help ensure we can effectively champion and care for this land into the future.”
“This hard sought achievement is the result of intense work on the part of the land trust’s board and staff leadership,” stated Harriet M. Ivey, president and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust (NMPCT). “The Trust is proud of their accomplishments, including this accreditation, which is an example of the intended outcome of a three-year grant of $225,000 that NMPCT awarded to the national Land Trust Alliance in 2008 to work with Indiana land trust organizations to strengthen all aspects of their organizations to achieve greater impact. We look forward to several others following in the Central Indiana Land Trust’s footsteps over the next several years.”
Central Indiana Land Trust was awarded accreditation this month and is one of only 181 land trusts across the country 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.
“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.”
According to the Land Trust Alliance, conserving land helps ensure clean air and drinking water, food security, scenic landscapes and views, recreational places, and habitat for the diversity of life on earth. In addition to providing health and food benefits, land conservation increases property values near greenbelts, saves tax dollars by encouraging more efficient development, and reduces the need for expensive water filtration facilities.