Conservation Excellence and Commitment to Protecting Public Interests

Feb. 18, 2021 – One of the consequences of the pandemic has been a renewed sense of appreciation across our country of the importance of conserving land for outdoor activities, natural resilience mechanisms, and endangered species.  Since 1990, the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), has been doing just that for the people of California, Washington, and Oregon.  Recently, CNLM announced it has renewed its land trust accreditation – proving once again that it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.

CNLM provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction.  The national Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that CNLM’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Everglades and Yosemite National Parks combined.  The accreditation standard is challenging—especially for land trusts with a deep and expansive history in acquiring conservation lands.  Only a fraction of US land trusts are accredited.

“It is exciting to recognize CNLM’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the Commission.  “Donors and partners can trust that accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”

CNLM is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census.

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.