Kenyon College’s Philander Chase Conservancy recently achieved a national honor for its work preserving thousands of acres of land in Central Ohio.
According to a release from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in New York, the designation shows that a land trust is meeting the highest of standards for land conservation while maintaining the public’s trust in the work of the conservancy.
“Accreditation demonstrates Philander Chase Conservancy’s commitment to permanent conservation of the beautiful and productive lands surrounding Kenyon College,” said Lisa Schott, managing director. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation program.”
Schott said beneficiaries such as the old Hall family farm and the Brown Family Environmental Center “will be protected forever,” a boon for future generations.
Schott told the Mount Vernon News that the 2-year accreditation process required the conservancy to submit several hundred pages of evidence showing compliance with standards and practices set by the LTAC. This was followed by an extensive interview with the commission.
The Philander Chase Conservancy launched in 2000 and with a mission to “protect the natural beauty of the farms, woodlands, waters and open spaces” around Kenyon College, while keeping the rural area intact. Working with area landowners, the Conservancy has permanently protected 66 properties spanning 5,700 acres.
According to the release, accredited land trusts steward about 20 million acres of land – an area the size of Yellowstone, Denali, Grand Canyon, Everglades and Yosemite combined. The accreditation shows that the LATC has confidence that the land will be protected forever. It was described as a “mark of distinction.”
Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the LATC, had high praise for the Philander Chase Conservancy.
“It is exciting to recognize Philander Chase Conservancy with this national mark of distinction,” Kalvestrand said in a release. “Donors and partners can trust that accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance and lasting stewardship and defense of easements.”
According to the conservancy’s website, Kenyon College is the only college or university in the country that has made its own land trust. Schott said rapid commercial and residential growth around Knox County beginning In the mid-1980s motivated the group to form. A study by the Mid-Ohio Planning Commission shows growth is ongoing. By 2050, Columbus will have a million people, whereas Knox County is expected to grow by about 15,000 people.
In response, the college bought property across from its entrance. This nature reserve along the Kokosing River became the Brown Family Environmental Center in 1995, followed by the formation of Philander Chase Conservancy five years later.
For more information, log onto kenyon.edu/philander-chase-conservancy.
