The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, announced that Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust (GBR Trust) has been awarded accredited status, making Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust the first accredited land trust in the state of Texas. Since the fall of 2008 only 93 of 1,700 land trusts from across the country have been awarded accreditation.
“Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever,” said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. “The accreditation seal lets the public know that the accredited land trust has undergone an extensive, external review of the governance and management of its organization and the systems and policies it uses to protect land.”
“Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust (GBR Trust) accredited status demonstrates our commitment to permanent land conservation,” says Janae Reneaud, Executive Director. “Our land trust is a stronger organization today having gone through the rigorous accreditation program.”
The GBR Trust was founded in 2001 and works in the Guadalupe Watershed. The GBR Trust has preserved over 9,500 acres of natural areas, ranches and farmlands. Also GBR Trust has conserved more than 16 miles of creeks, rivers and wetlands.
“We are thrilled to see Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust awarded the first accreditation seal in Texas,” said Susan Armstrong, Executive Director of the Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC). “TLTC is actively working towards all Texas land trusts becoming accredited in the next few years.”
“The Texas Land Trust Council has placed a high priority on helping Texas groups achieve this mark of distinction,” said Mark Steinbach, Chair of the TLTC. “It not only indicates how stalwart an organization is, but sets a path for other organizations to follow, ultimately creating a stronger community of land trusts.”
“Hopefully, all of the 50 plus land trusts operating in Texas will eventually become accredited,” said Todd Votteler, former Executive Director of the GBR Trust and Chair – Elect of TLTC. “With over I million acres of land permanently conserved, land trusts are fast becoming the land, water and wildlife conservation engines of Texas.”
TLTC Mission: The Texas Land Trust Council encourages excellence in the Texas land trust community through collaboration, education and outreach.