Skip to main content

Newsroom

Newsroom

Licking Land Trust Earns National Recognition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Mock, Administrative Director
740-587-4104
E-mail: lickingandtrust@gmail.com Website: www.lickinglandtrust.org

Licking Land Trust Earns National Recognition
Accreditation Promotes Public Trust, Ensures Permanence

Granville, OH -- (March 4, 2016) – The Licking Land Trust, a non-profit organization committed to conserving and protecting greenspace and natural areas in and around Licking County, today announced it has achieved national accreditation – a mark of honor in land conservation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, affirming its confidence that the Licking Land Trust lands will be protected forever.

Accredited land trusts across the country have permanently conserved more than 15 million acres of farms, forests and natural areas that are vital to healthy, vibrant communities. Licking Land Trust has helped to protect nearly 1200 acres of open space in central Ohio.

Doug Spieles, Chair of the Licking Land Trust’s all-volunteer Board, noted that “Receiving accreditation is an honor of the highest order, and signals that our organization meets exceptional national standards of performance and trustworthiness. The hard work we have put into this process over the past 10 years has made us a stronger, more effective, and mission-driven organization that is well-equipped to serve our community and the cause of conserving land.”

The Licking Land Trust, founded in 1989, works to preserve wetlands, woods, farmlands, riparian corridors, and scenic vistas. For instance, in collaboration with other organizations, the Trust has worked to conserve acreage along Raccoon Creek – helping to protect water quality and prevent erosion – and to restore and preserve the Spring Valley Nature Preserve. In addition to monitoring 1000+ acres of conserved land, in the past year the Trust participated in events such as Dawes Arbor Day, and Turn Off Your Screen week. The Trust also hosted the hugely successful “Farm to Fork” fundraiser, featuring locally sourced foods and a silent auction.

Mike Mickelson, LLT vice chair and leader of our Accreditation Team added, “Over the years, many of our board members have contributed steadily to our progress along this path, and none more so than our late colleague Don Wiper. The achievement of Land Trust Alliance accreditation is a real tribute to Don’s vision for the LLT, and we are permanently in his debt for his leadership and determination.”

Licking Land Trust joins the 379 other land trusts nationwide (out of a total of 1700) that have achieved the accreditation credential. “It is exciting to recognize Licking Land Trust with this distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. “Together, accredited land trusts stand united behind strong national standards ensuring the places people love will be conserved forever."

The Commission is an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. More information about land trust accreditation can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.