FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rob Hofstrom, Secretary Phone 609-234-3796; robhofstrom@yahoo.com
The Rancocas Conservancy Earns National Accreditation
Recognition for Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence
Vincentown, NJ March 1, 2022 - One thing that unites all people as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 1991, the Rancocas Conservancy has been doing just that throughout our beloved Rancocas Creek watershed. The Rancocas Conservancy announced it has achieved national recognition – joining a network of over 450 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and a proven record of maintaining the public’s trust in their work.
“Accreditation demonstrates the Rancocas Conservancy’s commitment to permanent land conservation in Burlington County, New Jersey” said Steve Doughty, President of the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees. “Without doubt, we are a stronger, more effective organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation program. Moving forward, LTA accreditation improves our ability to carry out our mission to preserve, protect and enhance the ecological and cultural integrity of the Rancocas Creek watershed and its environs.” Rob Hofstrom, Trustee Secretary and principal architect of the accreditation effort, added “National recognition of our organization, its practices, and conformance with a rigorous set of professional and ethical standards reflects on the dedication and commitment of our Trustees.”
The Rancocas Conservancy provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this national distinction. The Land Trust Alliance’s Accreditation Commission (Commission) awarded its accreditation, signifying its confidence that the Rancocas Conservancy’s lands will be responsibly protected in perpetuity. “It is exciting to recognize The Rancocas Conservancy with this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust that 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.” Accredited land trusts steward almost 20 million acres of land across the U.S. For comparison, the entire state of New Jersey is about 5 million acres.
The Rancocas Conservancy maintains a growing portfolio of critical watershed lands, including eleven (11) nature preserves as well as other land holdings acquired and/or managed in partnership with other organizations. All told, the Conservancy has worked to ensure the preservation of nearly 3,000 acres of open space in the Rancocas Creek watershed. “Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Conservancy’s efforts and successes have benefited from a large network of supporters, donors and partners”, noted Barbara Rich, co-founder and long-time Trustee of the Conservancy, “and we share this accomplishment with them. We welcome all to actively join us in our mission to protect these valuable watershed lands and connect with nature and open spaces at our preserves.”
The Rancocas Conservancy is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
About the Rancocas Conservancy
The mission of the Rancocas Conservancy is to preserve, protect and enhance the ecological and cultural integrity of the Rancocas Creek watershed and its environs. The Rancocas Conservancy recognized as the leading land trust in the watershed, responsible for the permanent preservation of nearly 3,000 acres of land. To learn more please visit: http://www.rancocasconservancy.org/
About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
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
