South Alabama Land Trust earns national recognition
One thing that unites us a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 1990, South Alabama Land Trust (SALT), formerly Weeks Bay Foundation, has been doing just for the people of Baldwin and Mobile counties. Today, SALT announces it has been awarded renewed land trust accreditation – proving once again that, as part of a network of more than 400 accredited land trusts nationwide, it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.
“Renewing our accreditation shows SALT’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in south Alabama,” Ellis Allen, chairman of the board of directors said. “The accreditation renewal process is rigorous, but it makes us stronger. That strength means special places – such as the 91-foot parcel we recently protected on Magnolia River – will be protected forever, making coastal Alabama an even greater place for us and our children.”
South Alabama Land Trust provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that SALT’s lands would be protected forever.
According to SALT Executive Director Connie Whitaker, the land trust added another 1,200 acres this year to the 9,500 it had already protected from development. The most recent was a conservation easement agreement with the City of Mobile to protect 94 acres on Perch Creek.
“Our renewed accreditation should give our donors, our volunteers, and the communities within our watersheds peace of mind,” Daniel Galbraith, chairman of SALT’s Land Acquisition Committee said. “The Commission’s review and approval of our past land deals and conservation efforts is a big deal. We take conservation seriously, and we want our supporters to know we hold ourselves to high standards.”
About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
There are 1,363 land trusts across the United States, and more than 400 are accredited. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust, and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement.
Established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, the Commission is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts.
