Stew·ard·ship: The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
FLT is in the business of taking care of land forever. Protecting land is only the start - stewardship is at the heart of Franklin Land Trust’s work.
When a landowner places a conservation restriction (CR) on their property with FLT, we assume a lasting responsibility and legal obligation to uphold its terms. FLT currently holds more than 175 conservation restrictions, each of which is monitored annually by staff and volunteers to ensure the land’s natural resources are protected as intended.
FLT also stewards more than fifteen conservation areas that have been gifted to or acquired by us. On these lands, stewardship is active and hands-on. Our work includes building and maintaining trails, leasing hayfields, managing habitat for wildlife, monitoring and controlling invasive species, and implementing forest management plans that may include carefully planned timber harvesting.
What Stewardship Looks Like
Stewardship begins with a baseline documentation report, which records a property’s boundaries, natural features, and conditions at the time of conservation. These reports are the foundation for long-term monitoring and enforcement.
Each year, FLT’s Stewardship staff visit protected properties to ensure CRs are being followed. We prioritize strong, respectful, and collaborative relationships with landowners. In rare cases, staff work with landowners or their neighbors to resolve violations and protect conservation values.
FLT’s Land Stewards are also a resource for landowners. We are happy to discuss land management questions and connect you with trusted professionals when specialized expertise is needed.
Our conservation areas provide an opportunity to demonstrate land stewardship in practice. Through careful planning and active management, these properties are demonstration landscapes where visitors can learn about the conservation practices that sustain resilient ecosystems.
A Commitment That Lasts
Stewardship is a permanent responsibility. When establishing a new conservation restriction, FLT typically requests a stewardship gift to help support long-term monitoring and enforcement. However, not all landowners are able to make this contribution, and FLT will never decline the protection of important land due to financial limitations.
Instead, stewardship is sustained through grants and the generosity of our members and donors, whose contributions help ensure that every conserved property receives the care and protection it deserves, always.