1. ERICKSON CONSULTING, INC Vital Ground Foundation Accreditation Application, 2013

2. Land Trust Alliance The national convener, strategist and representative of more than 1,700 land trusts across America. Goals  Dramatically expand the pace of land conservation  Build strong land trusts  Defend the permanence of conservation easements  Ensure that the work of land trusts is as strategically directed as possible

3. LTA Accomplishments Pioneered the use of conservation easements to conserve private land Developed Land Trust Standards and Practices

4. Land Trust Standards and Practices S&P: the ethical and technical guidelines for the operation of a responsible land trust. Developed in 1989; revised 2004 Best practices are the surest route to secure lasting conservation.

5. Part I. Organizational Strength  Standard 1 Mission  Standard 2 Compliance with Laws  Standard 3 Board Governance  Standard 4 Conflict of Interest  Standard 5 Fundraising  Standard 6 Financial and Asset Management  Standard 7 Volunteers, Staff, and Consultants

6. Part II. Land Transactions  Standard 8 Evaluating and Selecting Conservation Projects  Standard 9 Sound Transactions  Standard 10 Tax Benefits  Standard 11 Conservation Easement Stewardship  Standard 12 Fee Land Stewardship

7. 88 Practices Embedded in those 12 Standards Example: Standard 11 Conservation Easement Stewardship A. Funding Easement Stewardship B. Baseline Documentation Report C. Easement Monitoring D. Landowner Relationships E. Enforcement of Easements F. Reserved and Permitted Rights and Approvals G. Contingency Plans/Backups H. Contingency Plans for Backup Holder I. Amendments J. Condemnation K. Extinguishment

8. Standards and Practices Assessments Analyze compliance with all 88 practices Recommend actions for more fully complying Create prioritized task list, for instance in developing and adopting needed policies Vital Ground assessments showed strong compliance, with need to codify practices in policies and procedures

9. What is Accreditation? Independent verification process Based on Land Trust Standards and Practices Sample 26 of the 88 practices Voluntary

10. Two pilot rounds 2007 Inaugural awards 2008 Today – 181 accredited land trusts History & Milestones

11. Goals of the Program Build and recognize strong land trusts Foster public trust Help ensure permanent land protection

12. Land Trust Accreditation Commission Independent program of the Land Trust Alliance 15 diverse volunteer commissioners 5 staff Based in Saratoga Springs, NY

13. Applying is a BIG Commitment Financial Cost Staff time Two year effort Five year renewal

14. Vital Ground is on Track Registered for accreditation May 2012 Pre-application due January 24, 2013; largely complete now Full application due April 18, 2013 Announcement of accreditation likely in February, 2014

15. Decision by Full Commission Accredit  Expectations for improvement  Commendations  Five-year period Table Deny *Note that the Commission may require withdrawal at any time.

16. The Difference it Makes –More prepared to defend conservation land –Better systems for making and documenting decisions –Proven they meet national quality standards –Increase in donor support –Conserve more land!

17. “ETERNITY IS A LONG TIME. ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THE END.” WOODY ALLEN Protecting Land for Eternity!