Easement Stewardship
Overview
Stewardship is caring for land. When a landowner has an Ag + Open Space conservation easement on their property, our staff build relationships with landowners by reviewing the conservation easement with the landowner, regularly monitoring the land, and otherwise supporting landowners in the continuous and consistent care of their property so that its conservation values remain healthy and resilient.
The conservation values of a property are the specific features we protect for public benefit. They can include:
- Natural resources such as native trees, grasslands, or creeks
- Agricultural features like pasture land, rich soil, or groundwater
- Open space and scenic views
- Opportunities to create or enhance parks and other public open spaces
- And more!
If you have an Ag + Open Space easement on your land, and are wanting to get in touch with us, please email OpenSpace@sonoma-county.org or call us at 707-565-7360.
How do we steward conservation easements?
Conservation easement stewardship calls on our staff to build and nurture relationships with landowners. Typically, this work involves:
- Reviewing the conservation easement with landowners to make sure that the responsibilities of caring for the land are clearly defined, including what is and is not allowed so that the conservation values are protected.
- Regularly monitoring conserved lands to meet with landowners and document the current conditions of the land. Monitoring visits are excellent opportunities for landowners and staff to talk through any questions, challenges, or successes and discuss upcoming plans a landowner may have.
- Supporting landowners when they have land use questions – like identifying wildlife-friendly fencing options, reviewing forest management plans, or explaining how the easement outlines where new barns or sheds can be built.
- When necessary, working with landowners whose activities have violated the easement, and guiding them toward practices that align with the easement and meet both the needs of the conservation values and the landowner’s needs.
- Ongoing care of conserved lands takes collaboration between Ag + Open Space, partner agencies and community-based organizations, and the public. For instance, we work closely with the Sonoma and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts to connect landowners to educational resources, funding opportunities, state and federal resources, local planning efforts, and more. Check out our full list of Landowner Resources.
Frequently used forms
If you don’t see the form you need below, reach out to us at OpenSpace@sonoma-county.org.
View the Permitted Use Request Form
All conservation and open space easements permit specific uses and activities. Some of these uses and activities require Ag + Open Space approval prior to implementation. In these instances, landowners fill out a permitted use request form and submit it to Ag + Open Space along with supporting documents like project plans and maps.
View the Vegetation Management Plan Template
For vegetation management activities subject to Ag + Open Space review, we request landowners provide a written plan including information in our vegetation management plan template.