This summer, the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) field staff, Joel and Anika, embarked on a vital mission: monitoring OFT’s protected properties. These visits are essential for ensuring that conservation efforts continue to honour the vision of the landowners who have entrusted OFT with their properties. Here’s a closer look at the purpose, process, and findings of these monitoring visits.
The Purpose of Monitoring Visits
At the heart of OFT’s conservation work is a commitment to preserving lands for the long term. Each year, OFT undertakes the task of monitoring the protected properties to ensure that conservation easement agreements are upheld. These agreements, designed to last for 999 years, reflect the enduring legacy of the landowners’ conservation goals. The monitoring process is crucial for maintaining the integrity of these agreements and ensuring that the conservation vision for the land is realized.