NWA Land Trust renews accreditation
by February 18, 2026 1:54 pm 381 views
Fayetteville nonprofit Northwest Arkansas Land Trust recently renewed its national land trust accreditation. It’s the region’s only accredited land trust dedicated to protecting and enhancing natural landscapes in Northwest Arkansas, according to a news release.
“Renewing our accreditation shows NWALT’s ongoing commitment to protecting the landscapes that define Northwest Arkansas,” said Grady Spann, CEO of Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. “This rigorous process makes our organization stronger and ensures that special places — like Flint Creek Headwaters Preserve, Kessler Mountain, and Lake Frances — will remain protected forever. These natural areas are part of what makes Northwest Arkansas such an exceptional place to live, work and explore.”
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded the accreditation. The national authority evaluates land trusts on responsible governance, sound finances and lasting conservation outcomes. The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust renewed its accreditation after submitting documents and undergoing a third-party review.
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is one of more than 450 accredited land trusts in the United States that provide permanent protection for over 20 million acres, an area equal to several U.S. national parks combined. In Northwest Arkansas, the nonprofit protects 9,625 acres, including public lands such as Wilson Springs and Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary, and thousands of acres of working farms, forests and natural habitats privately owned by area families.
“We are proud to recognize NWALT’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for trust, rigor and permanence. Organizations like NWALT play a vital role in safeguarding the natural character of their regions and inspiring confidence in the communities they serve.”
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is one of 1,281 land trusts nationwide, according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census.