Phoenixville, PA August 19, 2021 – One thing that unites us as a nation is love of the land. Americans strongly support saving open space. Since 1967, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust has been doing just that for the people of northern Chester County.
After an extensive review, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the national accrediting body for land trusts, has announced that French & Pickering’s accredited status has been renewed. Every five years. French & Pickering goes through a rigorous verification process to ensure that it has sound finances, practices ethical conduct and responsible governance and can ensure lasting stewardship of its protected lands.
“Renewing our accreditation shows French & Pickering’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in northern Chester County,” said Kersten Appler, Director of Development and Operations. “We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength means special places such as the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve will be protected forever, making northern Chester County an even greater place for us and our children.”
French & Pickering provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation as part of the reaccreditation process.
Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
“It is exciting to recognize French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust the more than 450 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”
French & Pickering is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census.
About French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust
Land Preservation
Since its establishment in 1967, French & Pickering has protected more than 13,000 acres in northern Chester County through purchases, conservation easements and public/private partnerships. The non-profit organization works with landowners, townships, foundations and the state and county to purchase and monitor conservation easements, create parkland and preserve environmentally sensitive land.
Public Access to Preserved Lands
Now more than ever, outside recreational opportunities are important to our mental and physical health. These French & Pickering properties are open to the public and contain miles of marked hiking trails and scenic views:
The Great Marsh Preserve in East Nantmeal Township is over 550 acres of woodland wildlife habitat. This valuable natural space houses many species of birds and mammals and is an important source of clean water for the Great Marsh ecosystem.
The Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve in East Nantmeal and Warwick townships is a 108-acre site that includes the ruins of the Warwick Iron Furnace and the Exceptional Value south branch of the French Creek.
About the Land Trust Accreditation 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 information, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
