Conservation Excellence Certification
The Conservation Excellence Certification Program is your pathway to elevating your organization’s impact and credibility in the world of land conservation.
The Centre for Land Conservation (CLC) believes that strong adherence to the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices are essential for helping land trusts maintain public confidence and deliver effective, enduring conservation outcomes.
To support this, CLC has introduced a voluntary third-party assessment program that enables land trusts to demonstrate their conformance with key Standards and Practices – Conservation Excellence Certification. The Conservation Excellence Certification Program is a peer review process that leverages expertise cross critical areas such as board governance, financial accountability, land stewardship, land securement, and organizational management. This independent review provides funders, governments, and the public with added assurance that participating organizations are operating with integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
Why Get Certified?
Certification is more than just a badge — it’s a catalyst for growth and trust. Conservation Excellence Certification will help you:
- Build greater confidence among your donors, showing them that their contributions are driving real, lasting change.
- Strengthen your community support by demonstrating transparency, excellence, and ethical practices.
- Position your organization for long-term success through continuous improvement, leading to greater resources and investment.
Proven Impact
In a ten year evaluation by the US Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Land trusts who became certified had the following benefits:
- 3x More Land Conserved
- Certified organizations protect triple the amount of land
- 4x Larger Budgets
- Access more resources with 50% more financial supporters
- 8X More Investment
- Certified trusts invest eight times more in conservation lands
Note that assessment are based on the evidence provided by the participating organization, representing a ‘snapshot’ in time, and does not constitute a comprehensive review of all organizational activities. The assessment reflects professional opinion rather than a legal conclusion – those acting on the conclusions should be aware of this uncertainty and do so at their own risk.
Who’s Eligible to Apply to Participate?
Check your eligibility and apply to the Conservation Excellence Certification Program.
Already Registered?
Login to the Conservation Excellence Certification Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
This voluntary program sets standards of excellence for non-profit and charitable organizations in Canada that undertake the conservation and long-term protection of lands.
It exists for the purpose of helping conservation organizations in Canada gain confidence with funders and live up to the promise of conservation in perpetuity.
It was inspired by the US Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a program established by the US Land Trust Alliance to build and recognize strong land trusts, foster public confidence in land conservation, and help ensure the long-term protection of land in the US.
There are many benefits: Conservation Excellence Certification program confirms quality standards, offering a framework for superior services, administration, and governance. It enhances continuous organizational growth and self-awareness by promoting regular evaluations and reinforcing alignment with the organization’s core missions and goals. The program demonstrates credibility through independent verification of standards adherence, ensuring public trust and accountability. It facilitates strategic planning and documents organizational achievements and areas for improvement, fostering team cohesion and commitment to ongoing quality enhancement.
The Centre for Land Conservation oversees Conservation Excellence Certification program.
The Conservation Excellence Certification program is a made-in-Canada initiative with performance standards based on Standards for Non-Profits as developed by Imagine Canada and the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices held by the Centre for Land Conservation.
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