Stewardship in our Open Lands program involves conservation easements, often co-held with conservation organizations in the area. We work jointly to monitor properties, respond to questions and address requests from easement holders and field stewardship questions from landowners. We offer suggestions for best management practices and resources to help them be stewards to care for and protect the ecosystem services that benefit us all. We also work directly with municipalities, and hold Declaration of Covenants of Conditions and Restrictions (a variation on an easement for land a municipality owns in fee) on many municipal parks and preserves, preserving both open space and recreational opportunities close to home. We are also a resource for municipalities to help them manage their lands and connect them with other conservation agencies, like the Conservation District or the local field office of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
For more information on Municipal Grant Program or Conservancy Grant Program monitoring, please Email Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly.