Pacific Forest Trust Earns National Recognition
Accreditation Promotes Public Trust, Ensures Permanence
San Francisco, CA (Feb. 24, 2016) – Pacific Forest Trust, an innovative leader in the conservation of working forests for all their public benefits, today announced it has achieved independent Accreditation for a second time–a national mark of honor and distinction in land conservation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded this Accreditation renewal, signifying its continued confidence in the quality of Pacific Forest Trust‘s performance.
Accredited land trusts across the country have permanently conserved more than 15 million acres of farms, forests, and natural areas that are vital to healthy, vibrant communities. Pacific Forest Trust has contributed to the conservation of over 250,000 acres of private forests, in partnership with landowners, agencies, and communities. In addition, Pacific Forest Trust advances key state and national policy incentives for lasting conservation and stewardship, such as recognition of the vital role of forests in California’s source watersheds and in solving our climate crisis.
“Pacific Forest Trust is proud and gratified to be receiving a renewal of our Accreditation,” said Connie Best, Co-CEO. “Accreditation means that Pacific Forest Trust meets the highest national standards for our work in conservation and stewardship of private, working forests that are protected for their public benefits.”
“Further, the accreditation process helps us review our own performance and ensure we have the policies and procedures in place to fulfill the perpetual obligations granted to us to conserve land in the public interest,” she continued. “As an organization, we are committed to learning, growing, and improving with every project we undertake. Accreditation gives us useful feedback and support in implementing the best practices of our peers. Accreditation helps us know we are indeed walking our talk.”
Pacific Forest Trust was among 37 land trusts across the United States to achieve accreditation or to have accreditation renewed in February. Pacific Forest Trust sustains its standing among the 342 land trusts that demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence through Accreditation, helping to maintain the public’s trust in their work.
“It is exciting to recognize Pacific Forest Trust with this distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, Executive Director of the Commission. “Together, accredited land trusts stand united behind strong national standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever. In all, over 75 percent of private lands conserved by land trusts are now held by an accredited land trust.”
Each accredited land trust meets extensive documentation requirements and undergoes a rigorous, comprehensive review as part of its accreditation application. More information about land trust accreditation can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
The Commission is an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. More information about the many benefits of land conservation is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.
For more information, contact:
Connie Best, Co-CEO, Pacific Forest Trust: (415) 561-0700 ext. 19
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Kyle Cooper, Communications Manager, Pacific Forest Trust: (415) 561-0700 ext. 17
About Pacific Forest Trust
Since 1993, the Pacific Forest Trust has been dedicated to conserving and sustaining America’s vital, productive forest landscapes. Working with forest owners, communities and an array of partners, PFT advances innovative, incentive-based strategies to safeguard our nation’s diverse forests. In so doing, PFT ensures forests continue to provide people everywhere—from rural communities to urban centers—with a wealth of benefits, including clean water, sustainably harvested wood, green jobs, wildlife habitat and a livable climate. For more information, visit pacificforest.org.
About the 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.
About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents more than 1,100 member land trusts supported by more than 100,000 volunteers and 5 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C. and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.