Press Release:

 Middleburg, VA (March 3, 2020) – The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) has been awarded a second renewal of its accreditation by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.  In doing so, LTV became one of the first 27 land trusts in the nation to have earned that distinction.

One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. With the support of the people of Virginia, since 1992 the Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) has been doing just that. Now the Land Trust of Virginia announced it has renewed its land trust accreditation – proving once again that, as part of a network of over 400 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.

“Renewing our accreditation shows the Land Trust of Virginia’s ongoing commitment to excellence in permanent land conservation across the State of Virginia,” said Christopher C. Dematatis, Chair of LTV’s Board of Directors. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength means special places – such as our farms, forests, wetlands, battlefields and scenic vistas – will be protected forever, making Virginia an even greater place to live for us and our children.”

LTV provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that properties protected by LTV will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts across the country now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

LTV works with landowners to help them permanently protect their properties through the donation of conservation easements. LTV has helped 193 families protect 21,480 acres in 17 counties through conservation easements, including working farms, historic sites, forests, mountains, waterways and more.

“It is exciting to recognize the Land Trust of Virginia’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Accreditation Commission. “Donors and partners can trust the more than 400 accredited land trusts across the country that are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”

LTV is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. To remain accredited, land trusts must complete a rigorous audit process every five years. In 2009, LTV was part of the Accreditation Commission’s first cycle of applicants and is now one of only 27 land trusts nation-wide that have met the accreditation requirements for a third time. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org. More information about the Land Trust of Virginia can be found at www.landtrustva.org.

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