At a time of political change, one thing is clear and consistent: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 2016, when it was founded by the merger of four land and water conservation organizations, Midcoast Conservancy, has been doing just that for the people of midcoast Maine. Now Midcoast Conservancy announces that it has renewed its land trust accreditation – proving once again that, as part of a network of 398 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.

Midcoast Conservancy Board Chair Susan Russell said, “The accreditation seal is a sign of trust, one that means so much to both our organization and the members who have conserved or are considering conserving their land with us. Accreditation is a promise that we will care for that land according to their wishes, and offers peace of mind. That trust strengthens our place in the community, and enables us to expand our work with confident partners. Jody Jones, executive director, added “When our four conservation groups merged, only one of the founding organizations had the accreditation that we all now enjoy. Being accredited builds confidence throughout our service area that we meet the highest possible standards, and conveys value to our work and standing in the conservation community.”

​Midcoast Conservancy had to provide extensive documentation and undergo a comprehensive review as part of its accreditation renewal. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded the renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that Midcoast Conservancy’s lands will be protected forever.

Accredited land trusts must renew every five years, confirming their compliance with national quality standards and providing continued assurance to donors and landowners of their commitment to forever steward their land and easements. Almost 20 million acres of farms, forests and natural areas vital to healthy communities are now permanently conserved by an accredited land trust.

Midcoast Conservancy recently celebrated the addition of the 1,000 acres that comprise Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson to the land in its care. HVNC is a model community forest, meaning it is land whose “benefits include economic benefits through active forest management, clean water, wildlife habitat, educational opportunities, and public access for recreation”, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, which awarded HVNC a $400,000 grant in late 2017.

“It is exciting to recognize Midcoast Conservancy with this distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Accredited land trusts are united behind strong ethical standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever. Accreditation recognizes Midcoast Conservancy has demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”

Midcoast Conservancy is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the most recent National Land Trust Census, released December 1, 2016 by the Land Trust Alliance. This comprehensive report also shows that accredited land trusts have made significant achievements.

• Accredited land trusts have steadily grown and now steward almost 80% of conservation lands and easements held by all land trusts.
• Accredited land trusts protected five times more land from 2010 to 2015 than land trusts that were not accredited.
• Furthermore, accreditation has increased the public’s trust in land conservation, which has helped win support for federal, state and local conservation funding measures.

A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits are detailed at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.