Aiken Land Conservancy Newsletter Fall 2015 A Tribute to ...quality, personified by the many admirers who have ... A Tribute to Maid Marion. ConservationChronicle January 2013 ConservationChronicle

By Margaret Shealy, ALC Secretary/Board of Trustees

Standing tall on the corner of Colleton and Marion Streets in our town of Aiken presided the majestic South Carolina championship white oak, Maid Marion. Its branches spread to a width of 150 feet and it loomed 100 feet into the air. Named Maid Marion by local artist Betsy Wilson-Mahoney, the great tree had taken on a female quality, personified by the many admirers who have paused beneath her branches to shade themselves from the summer sun and generations of children who have played there throughout her long history. Recent arborists who have studied Maid Marion estimate her age at around 300 years, making her a colonial tree. In fact, the Henry Middleton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution had discussed adopting Maid Marion as one of their own to assist in her protection. She was indeed a tree of important significance. On July 15th, Aiken Land Conservancy board member, Meg Ferguson started texting friends and neighbors to inform us about Maid Marion, and I quote from her message, “The lovely oak on Marion Street fondly known as Maid Marion is going to be taken down as early as tomorrow by the city. I just walked down to the intersection to see why the street is closed and that is what I found. I am looking to stage a memorial service. I personally feel it is one of the most magnificent trees in the city and I am heartbroken to be losing it. I am sending this to people whom I thought might be interested in saying good-bye. I’ll take some pictures before it is taken down. Please visit before she is gone. Feeling very sad, Meg.” Meg’s poignant message was my first inclination that all was not well with Maid Marion. Since I began my quest to save this tree, I was spurred on and inspired by the depth of feelings and memories that Maid Marion’s presence had invoked in so many people. She was visited by the people of Aiken who brought houseguests to view her, by concerned foresters and citizens who checked on her after the ice storm, and by the numbers of people who had admired her beauty and made a walk beneath her branches a daily excursion. The stories go on and on. Ron Moniak, who played a key role in trying to save Maid Marion by securing her place in South Carolina history as a championship tree, commented that he has eaten lunch beneath her branches at least 100 times. The stories even extend to Indian legends about the giant tree. I am sad to report that even though she had the support of engineers, foresters, and Master Arborist, Guy Muellier, Maid Marion wasn’t able to continue her life as a legendary tree in Aiken, a National City of Trees. Early benefactors like Jack Wetzel who paid the fees for examinations by highly qualified arborists and many other interested citizens who raced to support the tree with their pledges of money and participation gave their best effort to making her survival possible. Roland Hall and his family had generously agreed to allow work to save Maid

ConservationChronicleAiken Land Conservancy Newsletter Fall 2015

A Tribute to Maid Marion

Continued on page 5

Welcome to the fall edition of the Conservation Chronicle. Aiken Land Conser-vancy (ALC) has been very busy over the past few months and we have a lot to share with you in this issue. After countless hours of preparing for the process of national accredita-tion, we submitted our application in mid-September. Achieving accreditation has been an important goal for ALC. Since the early days of the organization, ALC has aspired to develop standards of excellence in its policies and prac-tices in accordance with the guidance provided by the Land Trust Alliance. That aspiration has gained momentum in the past three years since the Board decided to actively pursue national accreditation. When we began the preparation for the accreditation process in earnest in 2012, we realized this would be an arduous, complex and time-consuming process requiring a continuing level of commitment and resources, both individually and organizationally, unlike anything we have undertaken since our early start-up days. But we did not fully comprehend the profound extent to which the journey would shape the depth and breadth of our collective knowledge and experience and create a more cohesive and informed group. This process of rigorous self-assessment and the implementation of policy and programmatic changes necessary to meet the high standards of the Land Trust Alliance has made us a stronger organization better prepared to meet the chal-lenges of the future. I would like to thank ALC Board member Joanna Dunn Samson for heading up our accreditation efforts. Without her, this process would not have been possible. For an update on our progress, please see “The Continuing Road to National Accreditation” on page 14. Don’t miss our next fundraising event, Clays for Conservation on Janu-ary 17th at the outstanding new Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield. Sign up today! Go to our website (conserveaiken.org) for details. Do you have family and friends that are interested in conservation? Please share this newsletter with them. The more support we have, the more land we can preserve in Aiken County.

The mission of Aiken Land Conservancy is to preserve natural and historic resources through land conservation.

Executive Director’sReportKatie Roth

Board of Trustees

Executive BoardLarry Comegys, PresidentHolly Houghton, Vice PresidentLydia Rose, TreasurerMargaret Shealy, SecretaryFrampton Toole, Director at Large

Board of DirectorsWilkins ByrdThomas ColemanLisa DardenLinda DonovanMeg FergusonNancy H. HenzeLinda Prior Hunley Joanna Dunn Samson Benjamin Steen Smith

Honorary Trustees O. Dantzler Busbee IILee Dane Iris FreemanRosamond McDuffie

Advisory Council James CunninghamCharles FlifletEric GrandeElizabeth Carey GregoryBeth HarphamBrandon HeitkampKirk HenckelsLisa HosangMike HosangAnne KiserSusan KleinbubLouise LeguizamonCherie Moritz SpenceHughes McGloneKiki MurphyJ. Summers PendarvisCharles RicePaul RideoutHarry ShealyAllen StruthersTammy ThatcherBennett TuckerRick Wilson

StaffKatie Roth, Executive Director Janet DePrince, Administrator

Aiken Land Conservancy, Inc.PO Box 3096, Aiken, SC 29802855.252.5263 [email protected] Fall 2015 Page 3

ConservationChronicle Fall 2015 Page 4

Trees play a significant role in South Carolina’s economic life. As timber they are our most valuable cash crop, part of a forest industry that is estimated to contribute more than $17 billion annually to the state’s economy. Trees are also critical to our quality of life. Their beauty and character define our communities. They support higher property values and build thriving communities that attract people and businesses. This is particularly true in Aiken, a city justly famous for its trees, tree lined streets and parkways. Two recent events have reminded us both of the importance of our trees and the need to protect and nurture them. Last year’s ice storm led to serious damage and loss to our trees. It also was a wake-up call that urban trees need proper care to minimize damage to structures and power lines, as well as to the trees themselves. The second event was the loss in October of the massive and historic Maid Marian white oak. Taken down by the wind and rain that overwhelmed much of South Carolina, better and more pro-active care over the years could have avoided its loss. That iconic single tree may have been lost, but through its loss we can avoid losing others. At the Aiken Land Conservancy, trees are central to our mission to preserve the character of our community. Therefore we are taking the following steps. First, and for the first time, we are forming a designated Tree Committee whose purpose will be to assure our continued focus on tree protection and to coordinate with other organizations, including local government, to get results. Second, we are exploring undergrounding the power lines that adjoin our historic Winthrop Polo Field. Undergrounding would protect those magnificent oaks that arch over Mead Avenue from more of the extreme pruning required by the power company. Third, and as a direct result of our Winthrop research, we discovered that SCE&G has an established and successful program to work with communities to underground existing power lines, and fund much of the cost. We are encouraging the city to explore this as a step toward adopting a long-term plan for Aiken. We believe Aiken can do more to protect its trees and truly be the Tree City that received numerous national accolades in years past. We expect broad support for tree protection, including undergrounding power lines. It’s a real “win win”, good for our quality of life, good for our economy and good for our future. Look for more information as these projects move forward. If you’d like to get involved send us an email to [email protected].

President’sReportLarry Comegys


Marion to take place on their property. Thanks also to Lee Dane and Debbie Boehner, former board members of The Aiken Land Conservancy, who came forward with the memory of a donation made by Joanne Walker which had been held in trust for Maid Marion for over twenty years should the tree ever need assistance. Most of all, the open communication and due diligence of our new city manager, John Klimm assured that every effort was made to make it possible for Maid Marion to continue on in her new role as South Carolina’s largest white oak championship tree. Sadly, that was not to be. The Aiken Land Conservancy continues to grow and expand in its vigilance of our lands, green spaces, and in the protection of the trees, which enhance our green environment. We have taken seriously the comments made by Master Arborist, Guy Mullier, when he skillfully pointed out in his report that as members of a conservancy we have a responsibility to communicate to the citizens of Aiken the benefits of trees like Maid Marion which include air and water purification, moderation of climate, retention of carbon in the atmosphere, wildlife values, and social and economic benefits to our community. We are rising to meet that challenge with the formation of a new conservancy committee dedicated to protecting our heritage of trees. Without the assistance of the Aiken Land Conservancy members, Maid Marion would have been removed by the city months ago, and I do believe that the memory of this magnificent champion tree will stimulate a new era in the protection of Aiken’s trees.

Continued from page 1A Tribute to Maid Marion

ConservationChronicle January 2013 Page 6ConservationChronicle Fall 2015 Page 6

ALC Welcomes New Board MemberKirk Henckels is Aiken Land Conservancy’s newest member of the Board of Trustees. He graduated from Stanford University, where he studied Architecture History and from Harvard Business School. After many years serving as senior officer and President of the prestigious Edward Lee Cave, Inc., a boutique real estate brokerage firm, Kirk founded the Private Brokerage department of Stribling & Associates, where he is currently serving as the Vice Chairman. Kirk’s charitable activities have included 37 years as a member and Chairman of Sloan Kettering’s Special Projects Committee, as well as serving on the Boards of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art in New York City and the St. Bartholomew Church Conservancy. He is currently on the Development Committee of Silver Hills Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut. Kirk and his wife, Fernanda, own horse farms in Millbrook, NY and Aiken. Please join us in welcoming Kirk to the Board!

Kirk Henckels

“The first time I saw Bella Vista farm on Wagener Road was like love at first sight. I was on the SPCA barn tour and instantly fell in love with the serene setting of the trees buffering the property lines, and the rolling topography with a backdrop of horses grazing in such lush pastures. It reminded me of Tuscany, California – inviting of a nice glass of chardonnay, sitting on the back covered porch watching the sunset. When Bella Vista farm came on the market a few years later, we were bound to make it our own. The conservation easement aspect of the property was attractive to us and made our decision to purchase more appealing knowing it would remain the same magical place for years and generations to come. The few restrictions of the easement were in perfect harmony with our desired use of the property. We have found the Board of Aiken Land Conservancy welcoming, responsive, and open to our idea of enhancing the property to better fit our steeds needs. We believe this farm truly represents the natural preserved land of Aiken and its rich equestrian history. Fortunately, the surrounding properties are of like-minded individuals, who share similar values of preserved areas of Aiken’s famed 302 corridor.”

With Sharer Dale and Don Houck: Bella Vista Farm



Katydid CDEA rainy, chilly day did not deter attendance from the Katydid CDE Signature Brunch on Sunday, November 8, 2015. ALC was pleased to be a part of the 12th Annual Katydid Combined Driving Event (CDE) for the second year. This show attracts the best drivers in the country and is the only event of its kind in South Carolina. “ALC is honored to host the Sunday brunch at the prestigious Katydid CDE”, said Larry Comegys, ALC President. “Driving competitors and spectators appreciate the value of open space so our mission to preserve land is a great fit for this event.” A large crowd gathered inside the tent to watch the cones competition while enjoying the


Signature Brunch, with proceeds benefitting ALC. Along with the best views of the competition, guest were treated to a delightful, hearty brunch from award-winning Chef Brandon Velie of Juniper – and of course Mimosas and Bloody Marys. Juniper’s famous corn chowder was a huge hit along with a delectable menu including roasted butternut squash and quinoa salad, heirloom tomato, cucumber and feta salad, red wine and mushroom braised chicken and roast port loin with caramelized onion gravy. “The Signature Brunch at Katydid is quickly becoming a ‘foodie’ event”, said Katie Roth, ALC Executive Director. “Juniper provided an outstanding menu that was fresh and different than any other brunch.” Guests lingered into the afternoon enjoying the competition and fellowship.

Special thanks to Katrina Becker and Jennifer Matheson for helping ALC make this event a success. And, thank you to the attendees who braved the weather to come out and support the importance of land conservation in Aiken County. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2016!

Above: Festive, natural fruit centerpieces created by ALC Board Members Lydia Rose and Meg Ferguson.

Right: Attendees enjoyed VIP seating and delicious eats.

Left: Photo credit Meghan Benge.

Specializing in Southern favorites with a modern twist, Juniper and Chef Brandon are well known for fabulous, fresh cuisine. Juniper, owned by Brandon and Jeanne Velie, has been serving simply elegant flavors with an eclectic style in downtown Ridge Spring for almost ten years. Fresh ingredients are key at Juniper, where the dinner menu changes every weekend as well as with the seasons. They work with local and regional farmers to bring the best cuisine to the local table. Since opening Juniper, Brandon and Jeanne have been featured in multiple national and local publications, most recently featured on SCETV. They continue to win awards for their inventive cuisine and trendsetting restaurant including the Palmetto Palate Top Chef award three times, the SC Beef Backer award and gold and silver medals in local and statewide culinary competitions. Brandon is currently the SC Chef Ambassador for the Midlands. Juniper is located in downtown Ridge Spring at 630 East Main Street. (803) 685-7547. They are open for lunch every day except Wednesday and open for dinner Thursday through Saturday.

ALC Welcomes Our New Business Partner, Juniper

Aiken Land Conservancy's mission is to preserve natural and historic resources through land conservation. Do

you have friends or family interested in our work? Encourage them to join ALC. Our operating funds come directly from memberships, so the more support we have,

the more we can do to preserve the character of Aiken.ConservationChronicle Fall 2015 Page 10


ANNIVERSARY FUND ($50,000) Dr. Elizabeth Carey Gregory STEWARD ($10,000 and above)Ms. Katrina H. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Rob Johnston BENEFACTOR ($5,000 - $9,999) Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence S. ComegysMr. and Mrs. Roger DaneMs. Elizabeth D. DardenMs. Hollister HoughtonMs. Wendy W. O’BrienMs. Jacqueline L. OhrstromMr. and Mrs. Jack RothMr. and Mrs. David SamsonThree Runs Plantation – Mr. Wayne RaifordDr. Carlin B. Vickery and Mr. James F. Capalino PATRON ($1,000 - $4,999) Aiken Spring Classic, LLCMr. Wilkins ByrdMr. and Mrs. Richard S. CramMr. and Mrs. Shepard EllenbergMr. and Mrs. Scott R. FergusonMr. and Mrs. Matthew GouldMr. and Mrs. Ted GregoryMr. and Mrs. David R. HathawayMs. Susanne K. HaslupMr. Kirk Henckels and Ms. Fernanda KelloggMr. and Mrs. William F. Henze IIMr. and Mrs. J. Michael HosangMr. and Mrs. Robert Hottensen Jr.Ms. Ann L. JonesMs. Jennifer L. MathesonMr. and Mrs. Richard P. McNeilMr. and Mrs. Frederick O. J. MuziMr. and Mrs. Donald T. NicolaisenMr. and Mrs. Paul T. RideoutMr. Scott D. RiviereMs. Lydia L. RoseMr. and Mrs. Bill SoucyMr. and Mrs. William H. Tucker SUPPORTER ($500 - $999) Mrs. Doris F. BaumgartenMr. and Mrs. Arthur M. BremerBridgestone Americas Tire OperationsMs. Barbara Austin BrownMs. Sharon M. BrownMr. and Mrs. Michael J. BurkeMr. and Mrs. Larry ByersMr. and Mrs. J. Hornor Davis IVMs. Linda DonovanMr. and Mrs. Peter R. FenwickMr. and Mrs. Edward GiobbeGreater Aiken Chamber of CommerceMrs. Dorothy HerbruckMr. and Mrs. Richard I. G. JonesMs. Louise LeguizamonMr. and Mrs. Dan A. MayfieldMs. Irene J. Berzak SchoenMrs. Pauline M. Sechel

Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Shealy, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Steen SmithMr. David StinsonMr. Frampton W. Toole IIIMr. and Mrs. W. Bennett TuckerMr. and Mrs. William S. VieleDr. and Mrs. L. Dieter VoegeleMr. and Mrs. Wolf von TeichmanMr. and Mrs. Doug WalkerMs. Janet WertzMr. and Mrs. George F. WintersteenMrs. Elizabeth J. Witham BUSINESS SPONSOR ($250) Woodside Farm - Ms. Sherry Lukens FRIEND ($250 - $499) Aiken Driving ClubMs. Dione AppletonMr. and Mrs. Harold BeachamMr. Gerald BlackwellMs. Judy L. CunninghamMr. Bennie G. CoxMr. and Mrs. Frank DePrinceMr. and Mrs. Shepard EllenbergMr. and Mrs. John H. EmeryMr. Dudley ErbMr. and Mrs. Charles R. FlifletMr. and Mrs. William B. GutfarbMr. and Mrs. George HanoDr. and Mrs. Anthony HarrisDr. Susan L. HaverstockMr. and Mrs. David KingMr. and Mrs. Michael KrysztofiakMr. Patrice Lamy and Ms. Karen HodgeMs. Margaret B. Marion and Mr. Jim SproullMr. and Mrs. S. J. PaternitiMr. and Mrs. James H. PeaceMr. and Mrs. Stephen R. PearcyMs. Jewell PendarvisMr. William W. Pidcoe, Jr.Portable Services, Inc. - Jan BentleyMs. Katharine PowersMr. George B. RawlsMr. Mark ReaderMs. Claire J. ReidMr. Arthur W. (Buzz) RichMs. Carol F. RyderMs. Gina P. SalatinoSavannah River Nuclear SolutionsMr. and Mrs. Manfred Schach von WittenauMrs. Russell SchurtzSecurity Federal BankMr. Gary Smith and Ms. Helen BelencanDr. Robert A. StantonMs. Cynthia SteinmetzMs. Barbara Uskup and Mr. Russell DudleyWells Fargo Community Support CampaignMr. William T. Wertz, Jr.Ms. Heidi White – R&G AssociatesMr. Rick Wilson and Mr. David TrachtenbergMr. and Mrs. Jesse C. YoungMr. and Mrs. George Zara

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Donors who have continuously given over the past five years are notated in green.

List includes 2014 and 2015 donations.



FAMILY ($100 - $249) Mr. and Mrs. David AdamAiken County Farm Supply - Pace KneeceAiken Regional Medical CenterMs. Pixie BaxterMs. Sarah BridgesDr. and Mrs. I. Lehr Brisbin Jr.Mr. Tom Bossard and Mr. Leonard CherryDrs. Robert and Carol BotschMr. and Mrs. Stephen BriggsMr. and Mrs. Paul Michael BrunsonMr. and Mrs. Jim BurkeMr. and Mrs. Cot CampbellMr. Thomas K. ColemanMr. Charles CombierMs. Courtney CongerMr. John Connors and Ms. Anne AlbeeMr. Ralph S. Cryder and Ms. Marsha LukeMr. and Mrs. Robert S. CunninghamMr. John W. DabneyMs. Jane Crayton DavisMr. Alan C. DecredicoMs. Harriet DelaneyMr. Shane DoyleMs. Jennifer EastersMr. and Mrs. Bruce EberhardMr. and Mrs. Geoff Ellis - The WillcoxDr. and Mrs. Kurt FichtnerMs. Nancy C. FrancisMr. James M. GaverMr. and Mrs. Leslie GeorgeMs. Jean GodardMr. and Mrs. James HammondMr. and Mrs. Dennis HarkinsMr. and Mrs. Robert HarringtonMr. and Mrs. David HayesMs. Lynda S. HillMr. and Mrs. Thomas HillMr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. HofstetterMr. Larry HolleyMr. and Mrs. Steve HomokiDr. and Mrs. Ronald M. HopkinsMr. and Mrs. Samuel R. HunleyHutson-Etherredge CompaniesMr. Bruce C. JarzmikMr. and Mrs. David S. Keisler, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. KentMr. and Mrs. John R. KloppMs. Debra A. KnappMrs. Lucy Knowles and Mr. Martin BuckleyMr. and Mrs. Michael KrysztofiakMr. and Mrs. Lawrence KurlandMs. Rhonda M. LaverghettaMr. and Mrs. Douglas LeaderMrs. Kiki S. LemmonMs. Wendy LewisMs. Diane LinthacumMs. Michelle MabbsMr. and Mrs. Murray G. MardenMr. Andrew C. MarineMs. Helen R. MarineMr. and Mrs. Richard O. MarkMr. Chuck Maxwell and Ms. Barbara Nelson

Mr. and Mrs. Bill MayerMr. Daniel MazarMrs. Rosamond McDuffieMs. Linda McLeanDr. and Mrs. Patrick McMenaminMr. and Mrs. John MeadMs. Sandra J. MeischenMs. Susanne MeyerMr. and Mrs. Glenn MillerMr. and Mrs. John MitchellMr. and Mrs. Larry MitchellMrs. William G. Mitsch, Jr.Ltc. And Mrs. Robert E. MooreMs. Cherie Mortiz and Mr. Tony SpenceMs. Kiki MurphyMs. Marion C. NaifehNandinaMs. Jill E. NangeroniMr. and Mrs. Robert M. NewburnMs. Caela Paioff (O.A.K. Services)Dr. and Mrs, Lucien PapouchadoMr. and Mrs. William G. PaschalMr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. PorterMs. Judith PortmannMr. and Mrs. Dennis C. QuinnMs. Vicky ReardonMs. Nancy R. RiccioneMs. Bettina RuckelshausMs. Cindy SabanMr. and Mrs. Henry SeguraMs. Martha B. ShumackerMr. and Mrs. Timothy SimmonsMs. Deborah J. SnyderDr. Joseph D. SpencerMs. Deby StewartMr. Todd StilpMr. David StinsonMr. and Mrs. Robert StoddardMr. and Mrs. Carl StrojanMr. and Mrs. Michael SullivanMr. Gary SwintMrs. Alexandra S. ThomasMr. and Mrs. Frank Thomas, Jr.Ms. Judith H. ThompsonMr. Joseph H. VaillancourtDr. and Mrs. Bauer VaughtersMr. and Mrs. Ray VaughtersMr.and Mrs. Francois VerglasMr. Terence Voss and Dr. Charmaine WilsonMr. and Mrs. Bradford WalkerMs. Nannie Von Stade WardMr. and Mrs. Richard WatsonMr. and Mrs. William S. WhiteDr. and Mrs. Boyd WiedenmanMs. Laura WithamMr. and Mrs. Michael WoodWoodside Farm - Ms. Sherry LukensMr. and Mrs. Phil WoolhiserMs. Anna W. Zouck MEMBER ($50 - $99) Mr. and Mrs. John R. AltmanMr. Michael Anaclerio

Ms. Heidi L. BeaumontBeech Island Garden ClubMr. and Mrs. Wade M. BrodieMr. and Mrs. Marsh Burckhalter, Jr.Ms. Judith ChamberlainDr. Hugh K. ClarkMrs. Bernadette ClaytonMr. and Mrs. Thomas A. ColemanMr. Ralph S. CryderMr. and Mrs. Kent CubbageMs. Kathleen J. CunninghamMr. and Mrs. Dick DewarMr. and Mrs. Michael J. DiStefanoMs. Christy DouglasMs.Valerie DuarteMs. Laurie FixMs. Ellen V. FoxDr. and Mrs. S. Taylor GarnettMr. and Mrs. Howard GnannMr. Gary E. GumingoDr. and Mrs. John HaddonMs. Patricia R. HaleMr. Steve HaleMr. and Mrs. Carl Hammond-BeyerMs. Elisabeth W. HarphamMr. and Mrs. Willie HartnettDr. Rose O. HayesMs. Delina Hickey and Mr. David AndrewsDr. Judith B. HooverMs. Priscilla JordanMr. and Mrs. Ronald JuvonenMs. Anne B. KiserMr. Richard H. KoblinMr. R. Scot KraeuterMr. and Mrs. Steve KrasnerMr. and Mrs. Scott LacherMr. Alfred J. LeoneMs. Sherry LukensMr. and Mrs. Stewart D. MauriceMr. and Mrs. Jack McElweeMr. and Mrs. Dennis McGurerMs. Louise MellonMr. and Mrs. Roy McLainMs. Jennifer J. NelsonMr. and Mrs. S. J. PaternitiMs. Mary Payne-CaldwellMr. and Mrs. John R. T. ReevesMs. Dorothy RidleyMs. Debbie SalemMr. and Mrs. Mackey Scott, IIIMr. and Mrs. J. Wilton ShinallMs. Susan Sorenyi-SanderMr. Nelson SpitnaleMs. Mary StangelMr. Allen StruthersMs. Sarah TaylorMrs. Lucy TowerMs. Valarie TrappMrs. Evelyn K. VoughtMs. Christine WatanabeMr. and Mrs. James H. Wittig

By Joanna Dunn Samson, ALC Board of Trustees

In 2011, ALC made a decision to pursue national accreditation through the National Land Trust Alliance. The organization performed a detailed self-assessment of its policies, procedures and project documentation and, based on the results of that assessment, spent 2-3 years updating its filing systems, securing and digitalizing the files, developing a more consistent monitoring program for its conservation easements and fee properties, and re-working its organizational policies related to such items as conflicts of interests, whistleblower issues, short and long-term record keeping, and conservation easement amendments and enforcement. On May 1, 2014, ALC registered with the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission to make a formal application. The Accreditation Commission notified ALC soon thereafter that its request to seek accreditation had been approved, and that ALC’s pre-application would be due on June 15, 2015 and its application would be due on September 17, 2015. The work began in earnest in the late summer of 2014 to collect and prepare the information necessary to submit the application. Over the course of the past year, the organization, and particularly the Stewardship Committee, spent countless hours assessing and updating, where necessary, the Baseline Documentation Reports for its 26 conservation easements and the formal Management Plans for its 11 fee properties. This past summer, Accreditation Committee Chairman Joanna Samson and ALC’s Executive Director Katie Roth and Administrator Janet DePrince coordinated and organized the preparation of the formal application, a seriously heavy paper-intensive process, with the assistance of President Larry Comegys and various other Board members as needed, and the guidance of its extraordinarily experienced consultant, Henrietta Jordan. The formal application, which had almost 150 separate documents attached, was submitted to the Accreditation Commission on September 16th. The ball is now in the Accreditation Commission’s court. After the Commission reviews the formal application, it will schedule a conference call with ALC to discuss any questions or issues that surfaced during the review process. We anticipate that call to occur in the first quarter of 2016 and for the Commission to make a decision on ALC’s application by the end of 2016 or early 2017. No matter what the Accreditation Committee decides, this multi-year, intense review and assessment process attendant with the preparation of the application for accreditation has made and will make ALC a stronger organization. That being said, we believe our case for ALC’s accreditation is strong and that ultimately, ALC will join the small group of elite land trusts around the country who have been granted the accreditation gold seal of approval.

The Continuing Road to National Accrediation


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Aiken Land Conservancy Newsletter Fall 2015 A Tribute to ...quality, personified by the many admirers who have ... A Tribute to Maid Marion. ConservationChronicle January 2013 ConservationChronicle