Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026.
These resources support routine stewardship monitoring for conservation restrictions and conserved properties. They can be used to train staff and volunteers on monitoring visits, clarify what to document in the field, and provide ready-to-adapt templates for monitoring reports and baseline documentation files. Land trusts can use the sample forms to build a consistent monitoring packet for recordkeeping, landowner follow-up, and year-to-year documentation.
Guidance Resources:
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CR Monitoring: #1 Priority for Land Stewardship (Doug Bruce, Matt Cannon, Matt Spinner; March 21, 2016)
Overview presentation on CR monitoring purpose, preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
Resource: cr_monitoring_and_violations_presentation.pdf -
Field Guide to Monitoring Conserved Lands (Stowe Land Trust; November 21, 2016)
Step-by-step field manual covering preparation, boundaries/navigation, safety, what to document, and reporting.
Resource: 2016_fieldguide_monitorconservedlands.pdf
CR Example form templates:
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Monitoring Report Form (The 300 Committee; 2007)
Sample monitoring report form used by The 300 Committee (Falmouth).
Resource: t3cmonitoringform.pdf -
Monitoring Report Form (Town of Ipswich; October 2010)
Sample monitoring report form used by the Town of Ipswich Open Space Program.
Resource: ipswichcrmonitoringreport_0.pdf -
Monitoring Report Form (Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust; January 8, 2007)
Sample monitoring report form for Forest Legacy projects used by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
Resource: crmonitoringreportform_forestlegacy_mt_grace.doc -
Monitoring Field Data Form (The Trustees of Reservations; 2011)
Field data collection form used internally to record observations during monitoring visits.
Resource: crmonitoringreport_ttor.doc -
Baseline Documentation Report Sample Table of Contents (December 5, 2008)
Example baseline documentation report table of contents (maps, photos, affidavits, appendices).
Resource: samplebaselinetoc.pdf