Stewardship

"Being entrusted to uphold a landowner's conservation vision for a special property is an honor. Upholding that vision in perpetuity is an obligation." (Land Trust Alliance)

If the conveyance of an easement is the first step in conserving a property, then the second step, an ongoing one, is easement stewardship. Easement holders, like GRVLT, have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that landowners comply with the terms of their conservation easements to uphold the public benefit. The foundation of an effective easement stewardship program is based on good working relationships with landowners and ranch managers, thorough baseline documentation reports, and annual monitoring.

What does "stewardship" mean?

According to LTA, conservation easement stewardship is defined as all aspects of a land trust's management of a conservation easement after its acquisition, including monitoring, landowner relations, recordkeeping, processing landowner notices, requests for approval and amendments, managing stewardship funds, and enforcement and defense.

What is a stewardship fund? Does GRVLT have one?

Yes, GRVLT has a stewardship fund. In essence, this fund is a separated, dedicated fund established by GRVLT to provide financial resources for easement stewardship costs.

What is a baseline documentation report?
A baseline documentation report seeks to summarize the important conservation values (wildlife habitat, open spaces, agriculture) conserved under the easement and the relevant conditions of the property (buildings, etc) as necessary to monitor and enforce the easement. GRVLT staff members can prepare these reports for potential easement projects, and they typically include maps, photographs, and other relevant information.

What does annual easement monitoring entail?
GRVLT visits every conserved property at least once a year for monitoring. This means that a GRVLT staff member, along with interested landowners and/or ranch managers, tour the easement property to ensure compliance with the terms of the easement and to document findings. While visiting different parts of the property at predetermined GPS points, photographs are taken that are included in the monitoring report. This visit also provides an opportunity to talk with a GRVLT staff member about upcoming plans for the property and ask questions or express concerns.

I've conserved my property with GRVLT, now what?
In addition to annual monitoring, GRVLT's Stewardship program provides conserved property owners with information on contacts for a variety of land management issues - from weed and pests to habitat enhancement. Occasionally, opportunity and funding arises for enhancement projects on conserved properties, including native seed collection, wildlife/livestock-friendly fencing, and swan ponds. GRVLT is also happy to provide conserved property owners with large-format (plotter size) maps and GIS information related to easements. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Katy Teson at katy@grvlandtrust.org for more information.