Completing a rigorous process begun more than a year ago, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation recently won formal accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance, a national organization based in Washington, D.C.

“Accreditation demonstrates to the community that we adhere to the highest national standards,” executive director Adam Moore said in a recent press release announcing the news.

The foundation now joins 317 other land trusts in the country that have achieved accreditation, including two on the Vineyard. The Nature Conservancy and The Trustees of Reservations both previously won accreditation from the alliance’s land trust accreditation commission.

The process involved extensive documentation, information gathering and a public comment period.

Founded in 1959 by Elizabeth Bowie Hough and Henry Beetle Hough, Sheriff’s Meadow was at the forefront of the conservation movement on the Vineyard that later took hold strongly in the 1960s and 1970s. The founding property, Sheriff’s Meadow Sanctuary, occupies about 20 acres tucked off Planting Field Way in Edgartown. Today the foundation owns 2,035 acres of conservation land and protects an additional 823 acres of land with conservation restrictions. Other properties include Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary, Sheriff’s Meadow Sanctuary, Quansoo Farm, West Chop Woods and the Caroline Tuthill Preserve.

According to the release, accredited land trusts are authorized to display a seal indicating that they meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. “We are proud to display the accreditation seal,” said Mr. Moore, who also said going through the process has strengthened the organization.

Meanwhile, next Monday night the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation will sponsor a panel discussion at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown on best practices for farming and landscaping without causing harm to saltwater ponds. It poses the question: “We all want beautiful lawns, productive farms, healthy ponds. Can we have all three?”

Panelists include Russell Norton, agriculture and horticulture educator from the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Matt Poole, Edgartown health agent, and Jeff Carlson, superintendent for the organically managed Vineyard Golf Club.

The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. and is free and open to the public.