For over 50 years, Coastal Rivers has been caring for the communities and natural resources of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid region. This month, we are proud to announce we’ve achieved a major milestone: ten consecutive years of national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission!
This rare distinction, awarded for the third time, places us among a respected group of land trusts nationwide that meet the most rigorous standards for fiscal accountability, strong leadership, and permanent land protection.
“This isn’t just a badge on our website; it’s a promise to the community,” said Steven Hufnagel, Executive Director of Coastal Rivers. “It confirms that the lands we all love—from forests to fields, farms, and waterways—are managed with the highest level of integrity and will be cared for to benefit this and future generations.
“Combined with the efforts of our many partners, this promise should yield cleaner water, habitat for wildlife to thrive, special natural areas and trails for all to enjoy, continued programs that enrich our understanding of this unique place, and an overall healthier, more resilient region.”
To earn this renewal, we underwent an exhaustive, third-party evaluation of our entire operation. By maintaining these standards, we remain a vital part of a national network that stewards over 50 million acres—a combined area more than 23 times the size of Yellowstone National Park.
“Coastal Rivers’ decade-long commitment to this program is a testament to their dedication to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the 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 quality 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.
