Land trust receives national accreditation

GOSHEN — Since 1980, the Goshen Land Trust has worked to preserve land for the people of Goshen. Members recently announced the land trust has achieved national recognition — joining a network of more than 450 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in their work, according to a statement.

“Accreditation demonstrates the Goshen Land Trust’s commitment to permanent land conservation in Goshen,” said land trust president Barry Donaldson. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through this rigorous process. Our accreditation gives residents the assurance that the land in the Goshen Land Trust’s care will be protected forever.”

According to Donaldson, this accomplishment was achieved due to the hard work of a team of volunteers and a generous grant from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. The $7,000 grant paid for an attorney with experience in the accreditation process, who guided the committee to meet the Standards and Practices requirements; and hiring a licensed Ecology Forester to complete the extensive land management documentation needed to qualify.

“It is exciting to recognize the Goshen Land Trust with this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the commission. “Donors and partners can trust the more than 450 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”

The Goshen Land Trust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of volunteers, founded in 1980, for the purpose of improving the quality of life for current and future generations of Goshen area residents, through the preservation and protection of natural and open lands. Over the years, the land trust has secured ownership of 510.1 acres of land and conservation easements on an additional 183 acres.

Much of this land is along stream corridors with wild beauty and historic mill sites. Residents and visitors are invited to hike our trails all year and enjoy the natural beauty of our protected forests, meadows and streams, members said.

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