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Caledonia Conservancy Accreditation Application Public Notice

The Caledonia Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance. A public comment period is now open.  Submit Comments Here

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 Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the Caledonia Conservancy complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see www.landtrustaccreditation.org/getting-accredited/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on the Caledonia Conservancy’s application will be most useful by June 22, 2011.

About the Conservancy

The Caledonia Conservancy, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) land trust and was founded in 1994 to protect and expand Caledonia’s unique system of recreational trails. One of Wisconsin’s oldest land trusts, the Conservancy has permanently protected more than 122 acres, including portions of the old North Shore train right-of-way, the 28.5 acre Trout Ponds Prairie and 25.2 acres in the Tabor Woods Natural Area.

Along with land protection, the Conservancy partners with landowners to maintain more than 36 miles of trails east of the Root River, including 8.2 miles of trails owned by the Conservancy and open to the public. A leading advocate of sensible development, the Conservancy introduced the conservation subdivision concept to the Town of Caledonia in 1997. In 2004, the land trust advanced the Environmental Linkage Policy during Caledonia’s Neighborhood Planning process. The goal of the policy is to work with landowners to ensure the permanent protection of connected natural corridors.

The Conservancy’s biggest strength is the commitment of its supporters and volunteer Board of Directors. Volunteers do everything from bush-whacking to fundraising and financial reporting. Together they have preserved and maintained open space and trails, promoted balanced development, and raised awareness of the importance of conservation. The Conservancy is affiliated with Wisconsin’s Gathering Waters and in 2006 adopted the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices – the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust.