MALT’s Renewal of Reaccreditation with the Land Trust Alliance: Seeking Public Comment
December 11, 2020
The Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) is proud to be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (Commission). The Commission was incorporated in April 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance to operate an innovative program to build and recognize strong land trusts, foster public confidence in land conservation and help ensure the long-term protection of land.
The accreditation process for land trusts happens approximately every five years. With its first accreditation in 2010, MALT’s last accreditation renewal occurred in 2016 and ends in spring 2021. Staff are currently working on the renewal of MALT’s accreditation. A public comment period is now open.
The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Commission conducts an extensive review of each land trust’s policies and programs.
MALT seeks accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance Commission because we want the public to have confidence in MALT, to be assured that we are able to deliver on our mission to permanently protect Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use, to know that MALT is a good community partner and to recognize that we are committed to operating with integrity. MALT encourages public comment so that we can continuously improve the way we do our work to protect Marin County farmland.
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how MALT complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operations of a land trust. The full list of standards are outlined here.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to [email protected]. 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 MALT’s application will be most useful by March 15, 2021.