May Accreditation Update PDF Print E-mail
Call for Volunteer Commissioners

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission is seeking individuals interested in serving as volunteer commissioners. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the new land trust accreditation program, work with a strong team of commissioners and learn about conservation practices across the country. Volunteers must be willing to volunteer up to 30 days of service each year and serve at least one three-year term. For more information about commissioner responsibilities see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/home/29-about-the-commission/140-commission-member-position-description. Interested candidates must submit a summary of their qualifications online. Read more on our website. Responses from candidates will be accepted through July 30, 2008.

Tip of the Month – Keep File Names Short and Sweet

The Commission accepts some pre-application and project documentation data electronically on CD. We recently learned, however, that we may not be able to open electronic files that have long file names. CD files can have path names of no more than 64 characters, whereas files on hard drives and networks can have path names exceeding 200 characters! For example, on your hard drive or network drive you might have a file that reads: C:/MyDocuments/GreenAcresLandTrust/this_cool_project_for_land_trust_accreditation_commission_application_for_accrediation.doc.

"The Commission has made great strides to improve the application process, with new efficiencies in preparation clearly apparent with our submission," says Andrew Chmar, executive director of Hudson Highlands Land Trust, a 2008 applicant. "In particular, by being able to now submit project documentation in electronic format on CD, as well as using PDF form functionality for the main application, we saved considerable time, expense and resources (like paper) in our final deliverables to the Commission. We’re confident that future applicants will see further streamlining of the process, so that both land trusts and the Commission benefit from the additional efficiencies."

On a CD for the Commission, the filename may simply read: SmithEasement.doc. If you are submitting files on CD, be sure to try opening the CD on a different computer and one that is not tied to your network.


Upcoming Events
There are just a couple more accreditation workshops lined up this spring. We hope to see you June 6 at the Maryland Land Trust Conference in Woodstock, MD and June 11-13 at the Virginia United Land Trust Conference, Staunton, VA.

Comments on Current Applicants
Complete applications from the first round of 2008 applicants drawn from last year’s lottery arrived at the Commission’s office earlier this month. The Commission is now accepting comments from the public on these applicants. For a list of current applicants and more information on public comments, visit http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/current-applicants/action-public-comment.