Mount Grace Seeks to Renew National Accreditation

Mount Grace has applied to renew its accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission—a national body that certifies whether land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting lands in perpetuity. 

Mount Grace was one of the first land trusts in Massachusetts be accredited, in 2013.  Trusts must re-apply to the commission every five years.  “We’re very pleased to announce we are applying for renewal of our accreditation,” said Mount Grace Executive Director Leigh Youngblood, “and we invite everyone to contact the Commission during the public comment period, which is now open.”

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Mount Grace complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust and can be found at: landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

Since 1986, Mount Grace has protected more than 32,000 acres. The trust serves 23 towns in Franklin and Worcester counties and works to benefit the environment, the economy, and future generations by protecting significant land and encouraging land stewardship.  “Integrity is essential to our land protection and land stewardship work,” added Youngblood. “National recognition of the high standard of quality and care we apply to organizational management, conservation projects, and the stewardship of land and conservation restrictions we are responsible for provides additional confidence to landowners and our supporters.”

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@ landtrustaccreditation.org.  Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on Mount Grace’s application will be most useful by December 31, 2017.