Dallas, PA – North Branch Land Trust (NBLT), a nonprofit, community-based, land conservation organization, was awarded its second renewal of accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission of Saratoga Springs, NY. This second renewal demonstrates that NBLT upheld the national standards for more than a decade. “Accreditation is a mark of distinction, recognizing land trusts that meet the national quality standards established by the land conservation community. NBLT has made an extraordinary commitment to excellence, trust and permanence in land conservation. The Commission especially recognizes NBLT’s work protecting the Mocanaqua Highlands,” states the Commission’s letter to NBLT’s executive director, Paul Lumia.
Lumia explained, “In keeping with the high standards established by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, accredited land trusts must reapply for accreditation every five years. The application process is rigorous and takes many months to complete for submission to The Commission. It’s a thorough process and NBLT is very pleased to receive this reaccreditation award and receive permission to continue to proudly use the accreditation seal.” Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission stated, “The accountability provided by the accreditation seal helps increase public confidence in land trusts.”
The Land Trust Accreditation 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 from around the country. The Land Trust Alliance based in Washington, DC, is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America.
For the past 25 years NBLT has conserved over 20,000 acres of land in eight surrounding counties – Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming. These conserved lands protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies, habitat for indigenous plants and animals, natural areas for outdoor recreational activities, and lands for local agriculture. The Land Trust is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and looks forward to conserving the next 20,000 acres in the years to come. The organization’s board of directors, volunteers, members, donors, and staff are deeply grateful for the community support which helps carry out NBLT’s conservation mission in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
If you are interested in becoming involved with NBLT by becoming a member, making a donation, volunteering, or conserving your land, please visit their website www.nblt.org or call the office 570-310-1781 for more information.
The Land Trust’s new term of accreditation runs through July 31, 2024.
