Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust Earns National Recognition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust Earns National Recognition.

Accreditation Promotes Public Trust, Ensures Permanence

Belle Haven, Va. (August 23, 2016) – Virginia Eastern Shore (VES) Land Trust, a local non-profit that assists landowners with voluntary permanent land preservation, announced today it has achieved renewed accreditation – a mark of distinction in land conservation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that VES Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever.

“Being accredited illustrates to our community that we are working at the highest level of competency in our field. It’s is a promise that VES Land Trust strictly adheres to the industry’s best practices when working on new conservation easements and stewarding those already in place,” commented John Edmund Tankard III, VES Land Trust President.
Almost 15 million acres of farms, forests and natural areas vital to healthy communities – an area about the size of the state of West Virginia – are permanently conserved by an accredited land trust. VES Land Trust protects 13,786 acres in Northampton and Accomack counties.

VES Land Trust was formed in 2003 by a group of citizens who envisioned a mechanism for local land protection. VES Land Trust works closely with landowners to protect the Eastern Shore way of life, keeping land available for farming, buffering creeks and waterways to protect water quality for recreation and aquaculture, and maintaining natural spaces for wildlife and hunting.
VES Land Trust was among 38 land trusts across the United States to achieve accreditation or to have accreditation renewed in August. VES Land Trust is one of the more than 350 accredited land trusts that demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence through accreditation, helping to maintain the public’s trust in their work.

“It is exciting to recognize VES Land Trust with this distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Accredited land trusts stand together, united behind strong ethical standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever. This network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership and lasting stewardship of conservation land.”

Each accredited land trusts must apply for renewal every five years and undergoes a comprehensive review as part of its renewal application. VES Land Trust first became accredited in 2011. The process is rigorous and strengthens land trusts so they can help landowners and communities achieve their goals.
For more information about VES Land Trust visit www.veslt.org.

About Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust
VES Land Trust works closely with landowners to protect the Eastern Shore’s farm and forestland, scenic creeks and bays, historic resources, wildlife habitat, and natural resources with conservation easements. A conservation easement is a voluntary deeded agreement offering permanent protection for open space, farmland, forestland, and wetlands while respecting private property rights. Conservation easements are as unique as the property they protect. Since 2003, VES Land Trust has preserved 71 properties. More information about VES Land Trust can be found at www.veslt.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.

About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents more than 1,100 member land trusts supported by more than 100,000 volunteers and 5 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C. and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.

Contact: Hali Plourde-Rogers, Stewardship Manager
(757) 442-5885 | stewardship@veslt.org