Ventura Land Trust (VLT) has achieved national accreditation recognition, joining an esteemed network of more than 400 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in their work. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation to Ventura Land Trust on November 6, 2019, signifying its confidence that VLT’s lands will be protected forever.
Becoming nationally accredited was a rigorous 2-year process that required Ventura Land Trust to fine tune its fiscal and organizational policies, programs, and procedures; provide extensive documentation, and undergo a comprehensive third-party evaluation.
“Since 2003, VLT has been fully committed to preserving and protecting Ventura County’s natural areas,” “said Derek Poultney, VLT Executive Director. “We undertook the lengthy accreditation process to demonstrate to our community that VLT operates under the highest professional standards.”
National accreditation helps to maintain the public’s trust and confirms that the accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. Accredited land trusts steward almost 20 million acres of land in the U.S. – the size of Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Everglades and Yosemite National Parks combined.
“It is exciting to recognize Ventura Land Trust with this national mark of distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Accredited land trusts demonstrate fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership and lasting stewardship of conservation land.”
Ventura Land Trust is one of 1,363 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.
The nationally accredited Ventura Land Trust (formerly the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 650 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust owns and manages nearly 80 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. VLT’s office is located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit www.venturalandtrust.org
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.
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000-member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices.
The Alliance’s leadership serves the entire land trust community. Its work in the nation’s capital represents the policy priorities of land conservationists from every state; our education programs improve and empower land trusts from Maine to Alaska; and our comprehensive vision for the future of land conservation includes new partners, new programs and new priorities. Connect with us online at www.landtrustalliance.org.
