In spring of 2021, the Commission released an updated version of the Requirements Manual and a document outlining the changes. Some of the changes begin to take effect in 2022. Each month we will be highlighting a change, why we made it and why it is important. This month we're looking at a NEW stewardship requirement.

Why is it important?

• A written management plan is essential for each land trust property to help identify the resources that are to be protected and to memorialize what actions the land trust plans to take or avoid to accomplish its goals.

• Land trusts manage protected property in significantly different ways, including active agriculture, active restoration of various habitats, or allowing nature "to take its course." This new requirement recognizes that the nature of the properties and the purposes for protection differ greatly, therefore the detail included in the management plan will vary as well. However, the plan needs to include sufficient detail that is scaled to the management goals of the property. For example, a parcel with active forest management needs more detail than a one-page management plan that identifies "forest management" as an activity.
• The requirement offers suggestions for the level of detail that may be included in a plan, such as maps, summaries, etc.

How will it be implemented?

• Most land trusts have management plans that meet this requirement. However, land trusts that rely on very brief management plans should evaluate whether adding more detail to the plan is needed to effectively protect and manage the property.
• If the Commission finds during the review process that additional detail is required in a land trust's management plans, additional action may be required to meet this requirement.

If you have questions about any of the changes, please contact us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to see the entire Summary of Changes and to download the Requirements Manual.