Public comment period now open

For the Tomahawk Leader

STEVENS POINT – North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) on Wednesday, May 17 announced that it is applying for national accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance.

A public comment period is now open.

Established in 1994, NCCT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to conserve the natural heritage of Central Wisconsin through the protection of land, according to a release from NCCT.

NCCT said it works with landowners to “develop conservation easements that protect and preserve the ecological values of their properties.”

The organization, based in Stevens Point, operates in an eight-county service area that includes Lincoln, Taylor, Clark, Marathon, Wood, Portage, Adams and Waushara counties.

“The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever,” NCCT stated. “The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.”

The release said this is NCCT’s first attempt at becoming accredited, “though it has been a goal for the organization for a long time,” NCCT said.

There are currently more than 450 accredited land trusts across the United States.

“We are very excited to have embarked on the journey towards becoming a nationally accredited land trust,” said Chris Radford, Executive Director of NCCT. “This has been an organizational priority for NCCT, and the Board of Directors has directed resources to make this vision a reality. The rigorous accreditation process has already shown incredible value in ensuring our organization is living up to the highest standards of excellence while instilling confidence and trust with our members, donors, partners and landowners.”

NCCT and the Commission are inviting public input and accepting signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how NCCT complies with national quality standards.

“These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust,” NCCT said.

For the full list of standards, visit www.bit.ly/3IvenIH.

To learn more about the accreditation program or to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email comments to [email protected].

Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila St., Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866.

Comments on NCCT’s application will be accepted until Friday, July 21.

To learn more about NCCT, visit www.ncctwi.org or call 715-344-1910.