Saratoga PLAN Earns National Recognition

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) recently announced it has renewed its land trust accreditation.

“Renewing our accreditation shows Saratoga PLAN’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in the Saratoga region,” said Robert Davies, executive director of Saratoga PLAN. “We are stronger as an organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. That renewed strength and effectiveness means special places – such as PLAN’s 13 public nature preserves and the agricultural land crucial to more than 30 local working farms – will be protected forever, making this area an even greater place to live, work, visit and play.”

Saratoga PLAN 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 Saratoga PLAN’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts across the country now steward over 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

“We are proud to recognize Saratoga PLAN’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust and permanence. Saratoga PLAN is part of a network of accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities.”

Saratoga PLAN is one of 1,281 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census.

Since 2003, Saratoga PLAN has helped protect more than 14,000 acres of land.