What Happens After A Property Is Conserved?

Have you ever wondered what happens after a property is conserved? When properties are placed under a conservation easement, they are conserved in perpetuity, meaning it will remain conserved forever, adhering to the terms of the conservation easement. Each easement is unique, depending on the specific land use, vegetation, wildlife, and natural features of the property. However, one thing is always required, annual monitoring.   

Monitoring is one of the primary responsibilities of our Natural Resource Management and Stewardship team. Each of our conserved properties has to be monitored yearly, and winter is our big monitoring season. This is due to the fact that many properties are conserved at the end of the year.

When the conservation easement is established, a baseline of specific points is recorded. The photos at these points serve as a reference for the initial condition of the area. The team follows this map and takes photos in the same position to track changes over time. These photos create a unique timelapse of the area throughout the years. 

Marking the photo points has changed throughout the years. Historically points could have been marked by unique rocks or even marks on tree trunks. Now, if points are physically marked, they are signified by a small post in the ground, but more often they are found through an online mapping system. From there we must line up the photo with the references we have from over the years. We are always equipped with a compass as well to make sure the photo is taken in the right direction. 

Catawba Wildflower Glen

Monitoring is not only important because it holds the property owner accountable for maintaining the conditions of the easement. It gives us a perspective on how nature changes over time. Our first property was conserved back in 1995, so it’s safe to say that the land has undergone some changes for the better. The photo on the left shows the changes at the Catawba Wildflower Glen over just 10 years. Much of the overgrown understory has been removed, making the Glen safer from wildfires and invasive species.  

Monitoring is all about stewardship, ensuring that the land we conserve is in good shape and serves the ecosystem. These annual check-ins give us a deeper insight into how land evolves over time under the right management strategies. 

Header Photo by Nancy Pierce at Mountain Creek