We’re pleased to announce that Land Trust Alliance’s Accreditation Commission has re-accredited Sempervirens Fund.

August 25, 2016 – After a rigorous renewal process, Sempervirens Fund has been re-accredited by the Land Trust Alliance’s (LTA) Accreditation Commission. The Commission awards accreditation to land trusts that meet national standards for protecting important natural places and working lands. We display the Accredited LTA seal (see right) to show our commitment to permanent land conservation and the public.

“We protect the coast redwoods–trees that can grow for over 2,000 years. LTA accreditation ensures that we are using best practices to make certain that our efforts last for generations to come,” says Sara Barth, executive director of Sempervirens Fund. “The redwoods deserve it and so does our community.”

Sempervirens Fund is honored and excited to be part of a select group of organizations to receive LTA recognition. Each accredited land trust is required to undergo a comprehensive review and provide extensive documentation. When we first applied for accreditation in 2011, LTA recognized only 16 land trusts in California; now there are 38. The Commission is an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to support land trusts across the U.S.

“It is exciting to recognize Sempervirens Fund with this distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Accredited land trusts stand together, united behind strong ethical standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever. This network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership and lasting stewardship of conservation land.”

Sempervirens Fund has worked to protect redwoods since 1900 and has played an essential role in creating Big Basin Redwoods, Castle Rock, Butano and Portola Redwoods state parks. The organization has protected over 3,400 acres of redwood forest. Accreditation will help Sempervirens Fund continue its mission to protect the redwood forests of Santa Cruz Mountains.

About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The 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. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.