After Your Submission
Your land trust submitted the main application…now what? Explore what happens after the Commission reviews your application. Need a refresher of the first-time process steps? Check out the overview.
Research and Review
A review team of a Commission staff member and one or more commissioners reviews each complete accreditation application in detail. The majority of information evaluated by the review team is from the applicant; additional information may be provided by the public and still other information may be the result of research conducted by the Commission’s review team.
The review team may conduct research regarding an applicant. This research may include Web or print searches, documented interviews with individuals knowledgeable about the land trust’s activities, and/or review of other data. The Commission is aware that not all news accounts, websites or other reports are accurate or complete, thus affirmative disclosure and explanation in the application will assist the Commission in its work.
The review team examines the information to determine if the applicant is implementing the Standards and meeting the accreditation requirements. The review team not only examines an applicant’s written policies (for example, a conflict of interest policy or amendment policy) but also looks for evidence that the policy and accreditation indicators are actually followed (such as by reviewing board meeting minutes from the last time the applicant managed a conflict of interest).
The review team may find the applicant is meeting each accreditation indicator, or it may find that it needs more information and/or that the applicant needs to take corrective action to be in compliance.
In making its findings, the review team keeps flexibility in mind. Reviewers are aware that one size does not fit all in land conservation and that there is a wide diversity of approaches that land trusts use to implement the standards. For example, an all-volunteer organization with a board that meets monthly and discusses each project in detail will have different evidence of board review of projects than a staffed organization with an active land committee. Each organization will need to provide evidence of project review, but the approaches may be different. Commissioners reflect the diversity of the land trust community and use their extensive knowledge to help ensure that applicants are meeting the accreditation indicators and that the review is flexible and practical.
The Commission uses a variety of systems to ensure consistency in the review process including having staff and commissioners serve on a variety of review teams, using the Requirements Manual as a reference, and having feedback systems between staff, commissioners, Commission committees and the full Commission.
Applicant Conference Call
After your application is submitted, your review team (made up of a commission staff review and volunteer commissioner(s)) host a conference call with your land trust for an opportunity to answer questions the review team may have about your application. While the review team may have questions related to a particular practice, it does not necessarily mean that your land trust needs to provide additional information or take further action! In many cases, only verbal clarification is needed.
This call will be scheduled in advance at a date and time that works for all parties.
Applicants will receive a detailed call agenda approximately one week prior to the scheduled call detailing the questions the review team would like to discuss.
Once the call is scheduled, the applicant may want to block some time one week before the scheduled date to review the call agenda and assign the appropriate people to join the call and respond to specific questions. Participation from board members and staff (if any) is strongly encouraged and appreciated.
Please note that the call will be recorded to ensure the Commission's written notes are accurate. The recording is not retained as a permanent file.
Additional Information Request
After reviewing your application and the applicant conference call it is likely your review team will need more information to clarify the written documents or your land trust may need to take corrective action to show it meets the requirements. Your organization will receive an Additional Information Request (AIR).
Yes, the accreditation process is built to provide opportunities for land trusts to provide additional information or take corrective action. Almost every land trust receives an AIR as part of the accreditation process.
You will get an email from the AMS. The AIR typically comes anywhere from two weeks to three months after the Applicant Conference Call. You can download a .pdf version of the AIR from the AMS.
Reach out to your review staff member (remember, you can message them in the AMS, call or email with them) with any questions about the AIR. They can often provide context that will help you identify the best document(s) to provide in response to the AIR. It’s a win-win!
Applicants will generally be provided with one to three months to respond to the AIR. A due date for your specific AIR(s) will be issued by your review team.
Commission Decision
The Commission makes final decisions on each complete application based on the review team’s evaluation. It can be hard to wait to hear from the Commission! It’s good to remember that decisions are made according to an internal schedule – and it can be up to 10 months from the time of application before you receive a decision.
What's Next?
Promoting your accredited status.
