New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) is pleased to announce it is applying for land trust accreditation. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. A public comment period is now open.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. The accreditation process affirms that NEFF upholds the highest standards in sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and an unwavering commitment to our mission of conserving forestland and advancing Exemplary Forestry.

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how NEFF complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards, see landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices

To learn more about the accreditation program, visit landtrustaccreditation.org.

To learn more about the comment process and to submit a comment online, visit landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-elements/291, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on NEFF’s application will be most useful if received by Friday, July 21.

If you have questions about the accreditation process, contact NEFF Stewardship Manager Beth Gula at bgula@newenglandforestry.org.

Top photo: A NEFF staff member listens for songbirds at NEFF’s Frenchman Bay Community Forest in Downeast Maine. Photo by Lauren Owens Lambert