Western Reserve Land Conservancy Earns National Recognition
Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence
One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the natural spaces they love. Since 1987, Western Reserve Land Conservancy has been doing just that for the people of Ohio. Now Western Reserve Land Conservancy announced it has renewed its land trust accreditation — proving once again that, as part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to conservation excellence.
“Renewing our accreditation shows Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Ohio,” said Pete McDonald, Director of Land Stewardship. “We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength means special places will be protected forever, making Ohio an even greater place for now and in the future.”
Western Reserve Land Conservancy provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward over 20 million acres — the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island combined.
“Earning renewed accreditation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to preserving the landscapes that make Ohio extraordinary. It reflects the hard work of our team, the trust of our supporters, and the strength of our partnerships. Together, we are ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy the beauty, vitality, and resilience of the lands we protect,” said Rich Cochran, Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s President and CEO.
Western Reserve Land Conservancy is the largest local land trust in Ohio, and one of only a handful in the country that focuses on preserving a mixture of natural, urban, and farm land. The organization has permanently preserved 930 properties; helped create and expand 220 public parks and preserves; led the efforts to create 69 county land banks across Ohio; and planted and distributed more than 16,000 robust trees in Cleveland. This year, the organization surpassed a significant milestone of permanently preserving more than 75,000 acres of land.
“We are proud to recognize Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust, and permanence. The Land Conservancy is part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities.”
Western Reserve Land Conservancy is one of 1,281 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.