This article appears in the Summer 2010 Piedmont View.

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) and The Piedmont Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) organization that accepts gifts and manages special funds in support of PEC, are pleased to announce they are applying for accreditation this summer.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant's policies and programs. Independent accreditation provides the assurance of quality and demonstrates PEC's ability to protect the Piedmont's working farms and forests as well as its diverse natural, historical, and scenic resources.

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the PEC or the Piedmont Foundation complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of land trust. For the full list of standards, click here.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on the PEC or the Piedmont Foundation applications will be most useful if received by August 29, 2010.