HARPSWELL

In an effort to receive national accreditation, the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust is seeking public comment on the trust’s compliance with national quality standards.

A pre-application for accreditation was submitted in June, said HHLT Executive Director Reed Coles, and a final application will be submitted in October. Public comments, part of the application process, are reviewed by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Preparation for accreditation, the application for which contains 186 separate items to be completed, has been in process for three years, said Coles.

“We went through every item to assess how compliant we are with national standards,” said Cole. “We’ve had to look at records going back 30 years to see what we were missing in terms of policy and records and fill in the blanks.”

HHLT formed in 1983 as an arm of the Harpswell Historical Society to facilitate the acquisition of the historic Tarr- Hackett House in Harpswell Center, said Cole. In 1992, the land trust separated from the historical society and received 501c3, or nonprofit, designation.

“Over time, policies regarding conservation easement acquisitions have changed,” said Coles, noting that currently a baseline condition report is required for conservation easements, but wasn’t required 30 years ago.

To demonstrate compliance, current condition baseline reports were written for acquisitions prior to this standard’s application, and were authorized by the parcel owners. This includes baseline reports and management plans for HHLT’s smallest holdings, like the one-acre Pott’s Point preserve.

As of 2013, HHLT holds 1,102 acres under conservation easements and 355 acres in preserves.

“Accreditation would affirm for the community that we are operating properly,” said Coles, “and it would affirm the same to any future funders and in the future it may be that significant grant makers require accreditation.”

The accreditation program began in 2008, the standards for which were established by the Land Trust Alliance, according to a HHLT news release. Since then, 254 land trusts have received accreditation, 11 of which are in Maine.

National accreditation requires that the land trust demonstrate compliance with standards of ethics in that it serves the public interests and with federal, state and local laws; that it operate under bylaws of a charter which are periodically reviewed; that it maintain its status as a nonprofit; that its board review all land acquisitions and adhere to a conflict of interest policy, and more.

“Dealing in good faith and dealing straightforwardly with landowners and the public” is of chief importance to the functioning of a land trust, said Coles, as is maintaining confidentiality.

“It sometimes takes us 15 to 20 years to progress from a first conversation to a final conservation acquisition,” said Coles. “It is important that people know we maintain confidentiality in the course of that process.”

Comments relating to how HHLT complies with national quality standards may be filed with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission until Nov. 21, 2014. For a complete list of standards, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

A comment may be submitted at that website or via email to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may be faxed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 518-587-3183, or mailed to 36 Phila St., Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

HHLT beginning

THE HARPSWELL Heritage Land Trust formed in 1983 as an arm of the Harpswell Historical Society to facilitate the acquisition of the historic Tarr-Hackett House in Harpswell Center. In 1992, the land trust separated from the historical society and received 501c3, or nonprofit, designation.