BY CONSUELO MCABOY
The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy has been preserving land and wildlife for the central Michigan area for more than twenty years. Now, the organization has received national recognition for its conservation efforts.
The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy was awarded accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
To receive this honor, a third party looks at how an organization assesses properties, conducts business management services and makes sure it's following legal practices.
The conservancy has preserved land in Isabella, Mecosta, Clare, Gratiot and Montcalm counties through limited land acquisition, conservation agreements and education.
Stan Lilley is the Executive Director for the conservancy. He said all of the organization's hard work has paid off.
"This is really big news in our world. There are about 1700 conservancies or land trusts around the country and we are part of 181 that are currently accredited by the land trust accreditation commission so it's certainly a thrill for all of us and just a culmination of all the hard work to prepare us for the process."
Lilley said the accreditation validates the organization's efforts.
He said the accreditation provides a concrete way to demonstrate its commitment to the community.