Transition Habitat Conservancy Seeks Renewal of Accreditation

Stakeholder Notification/Public Notice

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Transition Habitat Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open. 

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Transition Habitat provided extensive documentation and underwent a comprehensive review as part of its original accreditation application. The Land Trust Alliance Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that Transition Habitat’s lands will be protected forever. Almost 20 million acres of farms, forests and natural areas are now permanently conserved by accredited land trusts.

Since 2005, Transition Habitat Conservancy, (THC) based in Pinon Hills, has been working to preserve open space in the West Mojave Desert and surrounding transition zones upslope of the desert floor. THC’s work also involves habitat restoration, hydrogeologic studies, and strategic conservation planning in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

“Accreditation forced us to think about all our policies and procedures, and how our actions need to be in accordance with those policies. We did not own land when many of our initial policies were written, so it was very educational to modify them based on our real experiences once we did own land. We discussed the importance of each one and agreed on the specific language as it pertains to Transition Habitat Conservancy. Our policy development helped us define the culture of our unique organization,” Jill Bays, President.

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Transition Habitat 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 http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

Comments on Transition Habitat Conservancy’s application will be most useful by March 31, 2022.