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Public Notice Guide

  • Resource Type: Toolkit

Learn tips and techniques for conducting your land trust's public notice. First-time and renewal applicants must notify key stakeholders that they are applying for accreditation.

Public Notice Overview

When applying for first-time accreditation or renewal, land trusts must notify key interested parties to provide an opportunity for public comment. As part of a complete application, applicants are required to provide evidence that they have notified the public that the land trust is applying for accreditation.

Comment on a Land Trust

Make it easy for your community and partners to participate in your land trust's public notice period. Use the link below in your public notice announcements.

public comment page

Public Notice Key Information

Most land trusts applying for renewal complete their public notice around the time they submit their pre-application. Land trusts applying for first-time application complete their public notice after it has been notified that has been accepted to submit and application. Notice must be completed by the time the complete application is submitted.

  • Information on how interested parties can submit comments

    • The Commission accepts comments online, via email, or in writing

    • Written comments should be sent to: Land Trust Accreditation Commission, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

    • Commenters must identify themselves, but their names are not disclosed to the applicant

  • The due date for comments (45 days after the application due date)

  • A statement that comments must relate to the Standards.

Yes! You can find the template below in the key resources section. Your land trust is welcome to edit the language, but the key components – how to comment, that comments must relate to national quality standards, and a target due date – must be included.

Land trusts interact with a wide array of groups and individuals, and there is no one-size-fits-all list of stakeholders. Each land trust must determine who its most important internal and external interested parties are and the best way to reach them. Consider people knowledgeable about your land trust or its work who might have comments relevant to accreditation.

External Parties; ideas on whom to notify:

  • Elected officials

  • Public agencies

  • Area residents

  • Community organizations

  • Conservation groups

  • Land trust networks or coalitions

  • Abutters to actively managed or highly used land trust properties

External Parties; recommended outreach methods:

  • Press releases to area newspapers

  • Newsletters

  • Postings on appropriate listservs

  • Website

  • Social media posting

  • Personal letters or meetings

  • Public notices

Internal Parties; ideas on who to notify:

  • Board and advisory committee members

  • Staff

  • Key volunteers

  • General members and/or donors

Internal Parties; recommended outreach methods:

  • Broadcast email

  • Newsletters

  • Meetings

  • Website

Include in your application:

  1. Copy of the notice(s) used

  2. Summary of who was notified and when

Examples of acceptable documentation:

  • For newsletters: Copy of the newsletter and information on distribution (e.g., "sent to 750 members and town council")

  • For targeted letters: Copy of the letter and list of recipients' names/affiliations

  • For press releases: Copy of the release and list of newspapers it was sent to

  • For website postings: Note indicating that information was posted and how people were directed to it

  • For social media: Copy of the post and how many interactions were garnered.

Public Notice Key Resources

Below are the resources, including the template for completing your land trust’s public notice.

Public Notice FAQs

No. Paid notices, advertisements, or special color-printed notifications are not required.

While all comments are shared with the review team, public comments are not the sole determining factor in an accreditation decision. A negative comment may lead to a request for additional information and follow-up depending on the substance and nature of the comment, particularly if a comment indicates that a land trust may not be complying with the Standards or accreditation requirements.