Wood River Land Trust LTA Standard 8: Evaluating and Selecting Conservation Projects

8G: Project Planning

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Practice 8G: Policy: Wood River Land Trust will evaluate and design projects prior to completing land acquisition or conservation easement projects. The project selection process (Practice 8B) guides Land Trust staff in gathering information about a project prior to its consideration by the Board. Initial project planning will evaluate the conservation values and protection strategies against the Land Trusts mission and capacity. Project planning will also identify the conservation values and potential threats that could significantly impair those values. Project planning will include selection of the most appropriate conservation strategy and communication with the landowner to fulfill conservation goals for the property. A project plan or proposal document will guide the next steps in the land protection process. Project Proposal or Plan: Each project will be tailored to the specifics of the property through a project proposal or plan. For conservation easements and management agreements, a project proposal (Appendix 9F.1) is drafted and agreed upon by the Land Trust and the landowner. This proposal describes the conservation easement drafting process and how the Land Trust intends to document existing features and protect the property in perpetuity. It also outlines the landowners reserved rights, provides a cost estimate for easement preparation, and requests a contribution to the Land Trusts stewardship endowment. For land acquisition projects, a project plan is drafted that describes the conservation values and anticipated stewardship costs. The plan will include intended management practices and goals for the property. Some properties that the Land Trust acquires provide public access to important natural resources, whereas other properties are more suited for restoration or agricultural practices. This document will help guide stewardship staff in initial management activities.

Standard 8, Project Planning - Page 1 of 1 / Approved by the Board November 27, 2007