PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic Land Trust announced earlier this year it successfully renewed its land trust accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
“Renewing our accreditation shows our ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Clallam County,” NOLT executive director Tom Sanford said in February.
“We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength affirms that special places — such as the Lyre Conservation Area — will be protected forever, making the Olympic Peninsula an even greater place for now and in the future.”
First accredited in 2012, North Olympic Land Trust has maintained this designation by providing extensive documentation and to a comprehensive, third-party evaluation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that North Olympic Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever.
Accredited land trusts now steward more than 20 million acres — the size of Olympic, Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier and Everglades national parks combined.
Dedicated to the conservation of open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities, North Olympic Land Trust looks to protect land by working together with willing landowners and seeking available funding sources.
Most recently, the Land Trust placed a conservation easement on the 56-acre Mid Valley Farm in Sequim — marking the 24th farm the organization has helped protect.
Additionally, North Olympic Land Trust manages four conservation areas with free public access that are spread across Clallam County.
“We are proud to recognize North Olympic Land Trust’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
“The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust and permanence. North Olympic Land Trust is part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities.”
North Olympic Land Trust is one of 1,281 land trusts across the United States, according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. For more about the North Olympic Land Trust, visit northolympiclandtrust.org.
A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at landtrust accreditation.org.
