In February 2022, after a long and rigorous review process, Okanogan Land Trust achieved accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. This process included a comprehensive review of OLT’s policies and practices in the areas of governance, finance, transactions, and stewardship to verify that the land trust conducts itself in accordance with the highest standards.

Accredited status is a sign that a land trust upholds the values of the land trust community — integrity, accountability, and service — in its work. According to the Commission, accreditation indicates that a land trust has solidified and strengthened its practices, and that it is resilient and equipped to meet challenges. Accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance demonstrates that OLT follows established principles of excellence as a non-profit conservation organization. We believe adhering to these principles will make us most effective in our land protection work.

OLT now joins over 450 accredited land trusts across the country. The accreditation process was instituted in the early 2000s by the Land Trust Alliance for the purpose of verifying and recognizing land trusts that demonstrate fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. Accredited land trusts collectively steward almost 20 million acres of land—an area almost half the size of Washington State.

OLT had considered pursuing accreditation since the program began, and has always conducted business in accordance with LTA’s Standards and Practices. OLT decided to apply in 2020, and throughout 2021, staff reviewed procedures, compiled documentation, and responded to reviewer’s questions. As a result, OLT’s long history of diligent, dedicated conservation work, conducted responsibly and ethically, is now recognized at the national level.

For more information on what accreditation means and the accreditation process, visit https://www.landtrustaccreditation.org.