The Land Trust Standards & Practices are the operational and technical guidelines to assist land trusts in managing sustainable and effective organizations through sound legal and ethical means. These fundamental guidelines are intended to support land trusts in building a stronger, principled organizational structure and developing effective conservation and stewardship programs in the public interest.
These guidelines were developed by the Land Trust Alliance at the urging of land trusts, believing a strong land trust community depends on the credibility and effectiveness of all its members.
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association strongly encourages all organizations that acquire land or easements for conservation purposes to adopt Standards & Practices as their guiding principles and work towards bringing their operations into accord with them.
Help with Standards & Practices
LTA is currently working on developing the Land Trust Curriculum which will provide comprehensive training on each of the components of these Standards & Practices. PALTA has offered a number of courses at the Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference and will be offering a pilot course in September 2007. PALTA will offer training as each component of the curriculum is completed. Stay updated on training events by visiting conserveland.org/events or by signing up for PA Conserveland Info.
Through its Technical Assistance Program, PALTA can assist your organization in prioritizing your organizational needs and taking the steps to implement some or all of these Standards & Practices. This program can also assist land trusts seeking to prepare for Accreditation.
Land Trust Accreditation
With over 1500 land trusts working across the nation coupled with an ever-growing land conservation movement, the Land Trust Alliance is finalizing the development of a voluntary accreditation program to recognize excellence and enhance the credibility of the land trust movement.
Accreditation is offered to land trust organizations that have been incorporated for at least two years and have completed at least two conservation projects. Accreditation requires the adoption of only those Land Trust Standards & Practices that are relevant to the current work of your organization.
PALTA will provide support through its Technical Assistance Program to those land trusts interested in seeking accreditation. PALTA invites land trusts to appy for a grant for a Guided Organizational Assessment.
