LTA reaccreditation

Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence 

Steep Rock Association, based in Washington, CT, has received renewal of its accreditation as a land trust, continuing its participation in a network of over 450 accredited land trusts across the nation committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work.  

“Renewing our accreditation shows Steep Rock Association’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Washington CT and the Litchfield Hills” said Brian Hagenbuch, Steep Rock’s Executive Director. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous 14-month accreditation renewal process. Our strength means the special places we hold in our community will be protected forever, making Washington an even better place to live, work, and recreate.”  

Steep Rock provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation of their finances, governance, and stewardship efforts prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that Steep Rock’s lands will be protected forever. The Commission noted that, “Steep Rock Association has made an extraordinary commitment to excellence, trust, and permanence in land conservation.” Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island combined.  

“It is exciting to recognize Steep Rock’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust that more than 450 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”  

Steep Rock is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.  

About Steep Rock Association, Inc. 

Steep Rock Association is a nationally accredited land trust whose mission is to conserve ecologically and historically significant landscapes and riparian corridors in and around Washington, CT, and to enhance the community’s connection to nature through outreach, education, and passive recreation. 

About the Land Trust Accreditation Commission  

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 9uality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.