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.
By becoming certified, your organization demonstrates its commitment to meeting and exceeding the highest standards in conservation, with evaluations based on the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices.
The Certification Program leverages the expertise and best practices of the land trust sector across critical areas such as board governance, financial accountability, land stewardship, land securement, and organizational management. This framework supports land trusts in elevating their practices, with the option to further showcase their dedication to excellence by achieving certification through a rigorous, independent peer review process.
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
Who’s Eligible?
Check Program Requirements
Are you a registered not-for-profit in Canada that acquires land for the purpose of conservation? Are you committed to the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices? If you answered yes, then we would love to work with you.