The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, announced this week that the San Juan Preservation Trust has been awarded national accredited status. The Preservation Trust joins a prestigious group of 157 other land trusts, out of 1,700 nationally, which have achieved this distinction since this new accreditation program was launched in the fall of 2008.

“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.”

The Preservation Trust has 33 years of history and over 270 properties under their protection.

“The accreditation application process turned out to be a herculean effort for us,” said Tim Seifert, executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust. “But as our staff revisited old project files and as our board debated our policies and priorities, it quickly became evident that this was exactly what we needed to do to ensure the long-term viability of our projects and our organization.”

The San Juan Preservation Trust may now display the land trust accreditation seal, a mark of distinction that indicates to the public that the organization meets the highest national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent.

“Receiving this seal of approval from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission is really just the beginning of a perpetual responsibility,” said Steve McKeon, the president of the Preservation Trust’s board of trustees. “This should help to assure everyone that supports the San Juan Preservation Trust that the conservation work we’re doing today is truly positioned to stand the test of time.”