MODULE #1 Baseline Documentation Report Training Module

APPENDIX B: BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORTTEMPLATE FOR FEE SIMPLE PROPERTIESThe following template is intended to provide a guideline for preparing a BaselineDocumentation Report for lands owned by land trusts. The volume and specificity ofinformation required by the baseline documentation report will vary depending onthe condition of the property and the anticipated land uses. The intent of this formatis to allow flexibility in the documentation technique and to correlate the quantityand nature of the documentation to the conservation goals for the property .Title Page: Name of property (as the land trust has it filed), date of BDR, author(s) and theiraffiliations.Conservation Goals for the Property: This sets the stage for the report, and summarizesthe purpose of protecting the property (i.e., significance of the land and the conservationgoals). Describe the goals for the property and make reference to other reports or strategiesthat may be relevant (e.g., species recovery plans, restoration plans, corridor maps, etc.).Defining the conservation objectives for a property requires consideration of a number offactors such as:• the ecological values to be protected, including the variety of ecosystems on theproperty, the type and extent of sensitive ecosystems, and unique and sensitiveecological features;• why and how the ecological values are to be protected and for how long;• the conservation priorities of the organization.26Property Background Information:A. Legal description of the property. Description of relevant titleencumbrances (easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, water rightsetc.)B. Size of property or easement area (if different).C. Location of property and directions from land trust monitoring office.Description of legal access to the land or right of access granted to theland trust. Include any information about points of access to theproperty and type of access (vehicle, foot, boat etc.).D. Date of site visit.E. Historical information on the donation/acquisition – a briefchronological description of events that led to the protection of theproperty.Ecological Description:A. Site description including a general description of the topography andnatural features of the property.B. Site designations - describe any ecological designations on or adjacent tothe property (e.g., Heritage Rangelands, National Parks etc.).