P.O. Box 2133, Salem, CT 06420 Lschroeder@snet.net 860-859-3520

Salem Land Trust Again Earns National Accreditation

One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 1996 The Salem Land Trust has been doing that for the people of Salem. The Salem Land Trust is pleased to announce that its accreditation status has again been renewed by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission – proving that, as part of a network of over 400 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.

“Renewal of our accreditation shows The Salem Land Trust’s [SLT] ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Salem, Connecticut, including lands in the Eightmile River, Niantic and Deep River watersheds, all of which have headwaters in Salem,” said President Linda K. Schroeder. The Salem Land Trust was active in earning, along with the East Haddam and Lyme Land Trusts, the Eightmile River Watershed its National Park Service Wild and Scenic status and continues to be active in its management. The land Trust owns and maintains nine Preserves in the Town of Salem that are all open to the public for passive recreation along marked hiking trails.

The Salem Land Trust provided extensive documentation and was subject to comprehensive third-party evaluation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission prior to achieving this distinction and signifies the Commission’s confidence that The Salem Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever. The SLT President continued, “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength means special places – such as the Darling Road Preserve and our new Woodland Warbler Preserve– will be protected forever, making Salem an even greater place for present and future generations.”

Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission said, “Donors and partners can trust that the more than 400 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”

The Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census includes 1,363 land trusts across the United States. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

The Land Trust Accreditation 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.