New Projects
ASLPT Hires Second Land Protection Specialist
Working to Achieve National Land Trust Accreditation
ASLPT's Newest Land Protection Specialist - Andy Deegan
Andrew “Andy” Deegan has accepted the second land protection specialist position at ASLPT. He joined the ASLPT staff at the beginning of May and will now be providing much needed support to our current Land Protection Specialist, Beth McGuinn. Andy will be spending 75% of his time executing land conservation projects and 25% of his time overseeing our easement monitoring program. Andy was the unanimous first choice of the interview team. Andy’s educational background includes: BS, Wildlife Biology, 1998, URI and JD, 2004, Vermont Law School. While he was in law school, Andy had an internship with The Nature Conservancy in Montpelier, Vermont and set up their easement monitoring program. For the last 4 years he has been a real estate attorney with a firm in Essex Junction, Vermont. Andy and his wife Carrie have an 18 month old son. The Deegans plan to move to the New London area.
Working to Achieve Land Trust Accreditation
The Land Trust Alliance accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The ASLPT is pleased to announce it is applying for accreditation this summer. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs to insure that the Land Trust follows accepted accreditation practices.
The public is increasingly demanding accountability from government and nonprofit organizations, including land trusts. The land trust community has voluntarily heeded the calls for self-regulation. The accreditation seal will provide the Land Trust with enhanced credibility and respect from land conservation donors, members and others.
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the ASLPT complies with national quality standards. These standards specifically address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards please refer to: www.landtrustaccreditation.org/getting-accredited/2008-indicator-practices.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, please visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on ASLPT’s application will be most useful if received by September 15, 2008.