Learn the basics in Stewardship 101

Stewarding easements is one of the most important jobs for a land trust — and it's one they don't teach in college. Clearly, new staff or volunteer monitors must be trained on best practices in stewardship. But such training may even be more critical for board members, especially board members new to land trust work, so they can better understand what's involved in stewardship and why it's central to ensuring conserved land stays conserved.

Truly, stewardship is the backbone of enduring conservation. And while the work might not be easy, it is wonderfully fulfilling. On a stewardship visit, a sterile easement description comes alive when you encounter the smells of new mown hay, relish the beauty of a magnificent mountain vista or see the difference a community garden makes for a neighborhood. Stewardship visits can be key to engaging board members and reminding them why our work is so important.

Of course, problems sometimes emerge. Landowners can make mistakes, misread easements or just go rogue — and a land trust must be prepared to take action. At these moments, the more informed a board is on stewardship practices, the more it can support the stewardship team.

If you, your board, staff or volunteers could use a refresher on stewardship best practices, the Land Trust Alliance has a webinar for you. Join experts Jesica Blake from the accredited Coastal Land Trust in North Carolina and Megan Knott from the accredited Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust on Feb. 24, as they discuss:

• why stewardship is important;
• building and maintaining landowner relationships (a proven method to reduce violations!);
• the basics of annual monitoring;
• violations, amendments and other stewardship issues; and
• common tools used in easement stewardship.

Best of all, Jesica and Megan will share their years of wisdom and stories from the field with participants. Register today for Stewardship 101 for New Staff and Volunteers.

Mary Burke is associate director of educational services at the Land Trust Alliance.