1. The first step in exploring conservation options is to contact the staff at the Monadnock Conservancy, by telephone, email, or letter. An initial conversation can establish a common understanding of the landowner’s goals, and, if appropriate, staff can begin to research the natural resources and other features of the property. The Conservancy also strongly encourages a meeting with staff to walk the property and discuss mutual goals.
2. If the landowner and the staff agree to proceed, the Lands Committee of the Board of Trustees visits the property, to meet the landowner if possible and determine whether the project meets the organization’s land protection criteria. If so, the Committee recommends proceeding with the project to the full Board.
3. The next step by staff includes certain due diligence work, including assuring a clear title to the property, conducting hazardous waste assessments, and determining a clear description of the bounds of the property through existing or new survey work. Staff continues to research the natural resources through geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and consultation with other experts.
4. Staff then work with the landowner to define the terms of the easement or of the gift of land, producing draft deeds to be reviewed by the landowner, the landowner’s legal counsel, and the Conservancy’s legal counsel.
5. When all these pieces are in place, the Lands Committee brings the project back to the full Board for a final vote of acceptance. Staff set up the “closing” with the landowner, where the easement deed is signed, notarized, and recorded in the county Registry of Deeds.
6. Staff complete a baseline documentation of the property, recording the condition of the land at the time the easement is signed by means of maps, photographs, and other written reports. This file is kept in a fireproof safe to stand in perpetuity as a record of the conservation values of the property, and is updated at least annually through our Stewardship program.
This process can take as few as three months, but generally somewhat longer. The timing depends on the landowner’s preparedness, availability of key documents, and the complexity of the project.
