Why Accreditation Matters

In February 2017, the Mendocino Land Trust was accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The accreditation seal indicates to the public that MLT meets the highest national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust, and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent. This seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation, with only one in four of the 1,700 land trusts across the nation meeting national accreditation standards. Our accreditation was renewed in August 2022.

Land trust accreditation shows that a land trust meets high standards for land conservation. It sends a message to landowners and supporters: “Invest in us. We are a strong, effective organization you can trust to conserve your land forever.”

Each accredited land trust completes a rigorous review process and joins a network of organizations united by strong ethical practices. This trusted network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. The volunteers who serve on the Land Trust Accreditation Commission represent a diverse group of land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country. For more information about the importance of accreditation, please click here.

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