Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence
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The Forest Society was awarded accreditation in 2013 by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and began the renewal process in 2018. Photo: A trail leads through the forest at The Rocks, the Forest Society's North Country Conservation and Education Center. Shanna Hale Photography/Forest Society.
CONCORD, N.H.—After a thorough review of the Forest Society’s land protection and stewardship policies and procedures, the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission renewed the Forest Society’s coveted status as an accredited land trust. Accreditation includes the Forest Society in a network of more than 400 accredited land trusts across the nation, and demonstrates its commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.
“We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process,” said Jane Difley, president/forester of the Forest Society. “Our strength means special places – such as New Hampshire’s landscapes, forests, mountains, and waterways – will be protected forever, making New Hampshire an even greater place for us and our children.”
The Forest Society 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 the Forest Society’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward approximately 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
Since 1901, the Forest Society has permanently protected more than 135,000 acres of New Hampshire’s landscape with more than 750 conservation easements. The Forest Society also owns 185 forest reservations, 56,000 acres, throughout New Hampshire. These reservations include one of the most-climbed mountains in the western hemisphere, Mt. Monadnock, and the Lost River Gorge that sees thousands of visitors each year, to lesser known reservations like the Hay Forest in Newbury, the David Dana Forest in Dalton, and Cooper Cedar Woods in New Durham, along with numerous other forests and recreational opportunities scattered across more than 100 New Hampshire communities.
“It is exciting to recognize the Forest Society’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust 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 Forest Society is one of 1,363 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.
ABOUT THE FOREST SOCIETY
The Forest Society is a private, non-profit land trust and forestry organization established in 1901. It currently holds more than 750 conservation easements statewide permanently protecting more than 135,000 acres of New Hampshire’s landscapes. The Forest Society also owns 185 forest reservations constituting more than 56,000 acres in 105 New Hampshire communities.
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.
ABOUT THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices.
The Alliance’s leadership serves the entire land trust community—our work in the nation’s capital represents the policy priorities of land conservationists from every state; our education programs improve and empower land trusts from Maine to Alaska; and our comprehensive vision for the future of land conservation includes new partners, new programs and new priorities. Connect with us online at www.landtrustalliance.org.
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