CORNWALL BRIDGE, Conn.—The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) has been recognized for excellence in conservation practices by a renewed accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
The HVA is the only regional watershed organization serving the entire tri-state Housatonic River watershed in western New England and eastern New York. This will be HVA’s third, five-year term of accreditation.
HVA has been accredited since 2014 and is one of 479 accredited land trusts in 46 U.S. states and territories, including 27 organizations in Connecticut, 12 in Massachusetts and 44 in New York.
By achieving the accreditation renewal, the Housatonic Valley Association—leader of the regional conservation partnership known as the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative—demonstrates to its partners and stakeholders an expectation of professionalism and adherence to high standards of organizational ethics, governance, fiscal responsibility, and conservation.
“HVA’s board and staff are excited to celebrate this achievement,” said Executive Director Lynn Werner of Kent. “The Land Trust Accreditation program drives excellence in all of our operations and builds trust and good faith with our donors and conservation partners.”
“There are relatively few accredited land trusts that are also watershed organizations,” added HVA’s Conservation Director Tim Abbott. “Our expertise, resources and regional conservation partnerships help save thousands of acres of land every year by supporting the sound transactions of our land trust and agency partners.”
HVA rarely adds land and easements to its own conservation holdings, but accreditation ensures that its fundraising, negotiations, recordkeeping and deal structures deserve the faith and support of its partners and the communities it serves.
Connie Manes, executive director of the Kent Land Trust (KLT), applauded HVA both personally, and on behalf of the board and staff of KLT, for its renewed participation in the Land Trust Accreditation program. The Kent Land Trust was the second Connecticut land trust to be accredited, back in 2010.
“Accreditation has been transformative for our organization,” said Manes, “and I firmly believe the high proportion of accredited land trusts in our state’s Northwest Corner sets us apart with respect to conservation impact and long-term environmental sustainability.”
Manes emphasized, “I hope funders and private donors will take note, for there is no better assurance of the long-term return on their investments.”
The Land Trust Accreditation was established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, and is governed by a volunteer board of land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.