Cover page with NSOLF Logo and photo from steward picnic

A MESSAGE TO OUR PRESERVE STEWARDS

Thank you for volunteering your timeas aPreserve Steward for North Salem Open Land Foundation (NSOLF). As you visit and work on your adopted preserve, we hope you will come to know it well, find pleasure and take pride in your work and in the Preserve. You are an invaluable resource to NSOLF as you maintain a beautiful and safe opportunity for our visitors to enjoy the best of North Salem. Well managed preserves build support for the organization, and you are on the front lines of generating that support.

NSOLF depends upon you, our volunteer Preserve Stewards, to visit our properties on a regular basis and ensure that their important resources are flourishing, that there are no issuesfor which NSOLF could be liable, and that the boundaries are being respected. Preserve Stewards are also representatives of NSOLF to our visitors. This is a vital responsibility because it demonstrates that NSOLF and its members care deeply about land conservation and that we are doing our utmost to protect and maintain our natural areas for public enjoyment.

The NSOLF Board and staff thank you for your commitment to the organization, your preserve, and the many visitors who benefit from your hard work and dedication.

------Insert signatures of Linda and Gloria------

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

This manual lays out the responsibilities of the Preserve Steward and offers guidance on how to respond in certain situations. Read throughit thoroughly and use it as a reference as the need arises. Please review in particular the sections Preserve Steward Responsibilities,documentation, property boundaries, and safety. There is a sample Monitoring Report in Attachment A, and you can find one on the NSOLF website to download. Promptly send the completed Monitoring Report to the office after every site visit.

In addition to this manual you will be given a copy of the management plan for your preserve, plus a recent boundary line map based on NSOLF’s surveying project.

A NOTE ABOUT PAPERWORK

Although none of us like doing paperwork, it is critically important for several reasons:

  • to document the progress and changes that are made to and occur on each property;
  • to document the many hours that volunteers generously dedicate to NSOLF. We use these hours to quantify and demonstrate to our board and potential funders the breadth of our volunteer support. Hard numbers are very convincing.
  • volunteer hours often can be used as “matching funds” for grants, making NSOLF applications more competitive;
  • it is a requirement of the Land Trust Alliance to document annual monitoring visits;

With your cooperation in thoughtfully, promptly, and accurately completing the Monitoring Reports, we will have the necessary information. It is critical that these forms be turned in as soon—and as often—as possible. NSOLF will accept the forms by email, US Mail, and hand delivery. A copy of the form can be downloaded from our website ( XXX).

By email:

By mail: NSOLF, PO Box 176 , North Salem, NY 10560

Hand Delivery: NSOLF, 60 June Rd, Suite 206, North Salem 10560 (Salem Center)

Thank you for your prompt cooperation with this important task.

PRESERVE STEWARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Guidelines on how to carry out specific tasks are discussed in this manual.

Primary(bold indicates highest priority)

  • Monitor and complete monitoring reportsat least twice per year (spring and fall).
  • Ensure boundary stakes are clearly visible and free of weeds and grass.
  • Document and report problems.
  • Trail maintenance, including replacing missing trail markers.
  • General property surveillance and observation.
  • Reconnaissance after major storms.
  • Removal of trash and debris from the preserve.
  • Serve as a representative of NSOLF.
  • Sign NSOLF’s volunteer waiver form annually (attached as Exhibit F).

Secondary

  • Document unusual plant and animal sightings.
  • Assist NSOLF staff and Board with field work including property surveys, plant surveys, new trailconstruction, and inventories.
  • Removal of invasive species in consultation with NSOLF staff and/or the Land Management Committee and after receiving instructions on target species and methods of removal.
  • Assist with the recruitment of PreserveStewards.

SAFETY FIRST

Your safety is NSOLF’s first priority. We want to ensure that you are able to perform your responsibilities in a safe manner. That is why we expect that you will follow these guidelines when you are volunteering on your preserve.

  • DO let someone know when you are planning to spend time on the property and how long you expect to be there.
  • DO bring a charged cell phone.
  • DO bring someone with you if you plan you do any trail work. You may want to spend this time with other PreserveStewards or Trail Crew Volunteers.
  • DO wear appropriate clothing when doing trail work. This should always include long pants and sturdy boots.
  • DO carry plenty of food and water any time you are on the property.
  • DO take a first aid kit with you any time you are doing trail work or work involving tools.
  • DO respect the tools you use, and keep them sharp to prevent accidents.
  • DO keep a generous safety circle between you and anyone else when you are using tools.
  • DO let others around you know if a tree or limb is going to fall near them.
  • DO stay away from all wild animals, and report suspicious activity of any potentially rabid animal to the NSOLF Staff and/or your local animal control authority.
  • DO perform a “tick check” after spending time on the property.
  • DO NOTput yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation with people or animals.
  • DO NOT consume any alcohol, drugs, or medicines that might impair your ability to work safely while on a NSOLF Preserve.
  • DO NOT carry a firearm while on a NSOLF Preserve.

POWER TOOLS

For many reasons, we discourage the use of any power tools by PreserveStewards. Hand tools should handle 95% of the work that needs to be completed. The other 5% of the work can be accomplished by contractors if necessary. If you feel that it is essential to use a chainsaw or other power tool on your preserve, you must be able to explain to the staff or board member your prior experience with the tool you want to use. You must receive approval on the project you would be using it for and ensure your volunteer waiver is current.

PRESERVE MONITORING:

All preserves will be actively monitored to prevent misuse, to observe the natural succession, and to evaluate management

How often? At least 2x per year—spring before leaf out, and fall after leaves drop.

Duties:

  • Boundary line inspection. NSOLF boundaries should be easy to spot and follow in the woods. NSOLF will ensure that Preserve Stewards are provided with up-to-date surveys and new stewards will be shown the boundaries and stakes by NSOLF or others familiar with the property. Boundaries are signed with diamond-shaped NSOLF markers placed roughly 100-200 feet apart. They are also staked by a professional surveyor and the stakes have custom aluminum “NSOLF” caps (Attachment C). IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE STAKES ARE KEPT VISIBLE.
  • Preserve Stewards should walk the entire boundary of their NSOLF preserve at least 2x peryear (Fall and Spring).
  • Maintain and replace boundary markers as needed. Install on dead trees or other nonliving material where available; use galvanized aluminum nails in living material. Place markers 7 feet or higher to deter vandalism. Space signs at approximately 100-feet intervals. Position markers as close to the boundary line as possible, making sure to stay on NSOLF’s side of the boundary.
  • Ensure boundary stakes are clearly visible and free of weeds and grass. If the property boundaries on your preserve are difficult to follow due to the presence of thick brush, it may be desirable to lightly brush out NSOLF’s side of the line to make walking the boundaries easier. This brushing should only involve a narrow footpath opened by cutting saplings and pruning small trees. This brushing should be done only in areas where passage is difficult. If in doubt, call NSOLF. Since boundaries are a legal issue, under no circumstances should Preserve Stewards modify the boundary lines.
  • Document any suspected encroachment (removing/adding vegetation, rocks, fences, signs, trash dumping, planting of invasive exotic plants near or across boundaries) with photographs and GPS if possible (see notes on documentation below) and promptly notify NSOLF.
  • Make particular note of major dumping, and if there is any evidence of the responsibleparties, document evidence with notes and photographs.
  • Other monitoring duties.
  • Inspect trails, bridges, parking areas, roads and other important areas or features on NSOLF property.
  • Immediately report to NSOLF staff or Land Management Committeeany dead/dying trees, erosion, or other potential threat to visitorsand/or significant resources.

•Block or close hazard zones if appropriate.

•Note hazard(s) and action(s) you have taken on the inspection report.

•Only people authorized by NSOLF may remove hazardous trees or other potential threats. This is not the responsibility of preservestewards.

  • Promptly notify the NSOLF office of anydamage that requires immediate attention and note evidence of damage on the inspection report.

•Work with NSOLF to attempt to identify responsible parties.

•Report evidence of hunting, shooting, etc. to the NSOLF office.

•Camping and fires are prohibited on NSOLF property. Remove evidence of campingactivity to discourage future campers.

A NOTE ABOUT DOCUMENTATION

NSOLF wants to know what is happening on our preserves. Document and record the good and the bad. A few helpful hints on documentation:

  • NSOLF needs photos for our website and newsletters. Please send us photos with date, photographer, and a brief description of the photo subject, preserve, activity captured, and names of people in photos if possible.
  • When documenting problems,
  • Take photographs—include a time and date stamp if possible. 5-10 photos areusually enough.
  • Whenever possible, mark the location with GPS and or flagging.
  • Back home, develop short captions for each photo. A caption could read:
  • “Dumping on Baxter North observed by Super Steward on April 5, 2014. Dumping is located off Baxter Road, approximately 30 feet from the road. This photo shows construction debris, shingles, garbage bags, and an old toilet. The pile is approximately 5 feet in diameter and 3 feet high.”
  • Provide a copy to NSOLF as soon as possible and keep one for yourself.
  • When the problem is resolved, return to the site and photograph the area. Again, please caption photos and give a set to NSOLF.

MAJOR STORM RECONNAISSANCE

As the past few years have shown, we should be prepared to act in the event of a large storm or other natural disaster. In the case of these large scale events NSOLF preserves should be monitored as soon as the event has passed and it is safe to venture outside. Extreme caution should be taken upon entering the woods just after these events.

  • Walk the trails and other publically frequented areas first.
  • Identify hazardous areas. If you feel the preserve should be closed temporarily, notify NSOLF immediately.
  • If there are hazardous conditions that you are unable to address, notify NSOLF and the organization will determine how to address the issue.
  • DO NOT PUT YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT RISK
  • Remember to complete a monitoring report after your visit and submit to NSOLF. Monitoring Reports should reflect the damage caused as closely as possible, using maps and photos to relay how much preserve land was affected and where.

REPRESENTING NSOLF

As a Preserve Steward, you have an opportunity to interact with the public. To the extent you are comfortable doing so, NSOLF encourages you

  • to share your positive experiences as a volunteer;
  • answer questions about your preserve;
  • pass out NSOLF materials including annual reports, newsletters, and preserve maps (NSOLF will provide copies);
  • remind them politely and tactfully about the preserve rules (especially as they relate to dogs, hunting, and off-road vehicles);
  • recruit additional volunteers. If someone is interested in volunteering, please get their contact information and encourage them to contact NSOLF. Please give NSOLF their information so we can reach out to them as well.

TRAIL BLAZING/MARKING

Trails on NSOLF land that need to be marked or remarked must be done so in accordance with the following guidelines:

  • Trails are marked only with NSOLF trail markers (Attachment D).
  • Be consistent in keeping markers on one side of an entire trail where possible.
  • Markers will generally be placed within sight of each other.
  • Before any new trail marking takes place, the NSOLF Land Management Committee must approve the project.

NSOLF Preserve Rules

Visitors are asked to stay on the marked trails. Hiking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, photographing, and bird watching areencouraged. Trails are marked by blazes with the NSOLF logo. Use of trails is at your own risk.

Group visits by schools, clubs, scouts and others are welcome. All youth groups must be under the guidance of an experienced leader.

NSBTA bridle trails traverse many of our parcels. They extend onto private property and should not be confused with our marked trails.

All dogs must be under their owner’s control and leashed weekdays between 9am and 4pm and at all times on week-ends and major holidays.

INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT

Invasive species—particularly plants--have become common locally and in many of the NSOLF preserves. In fact, some are ubiquitous and severely impact habitat by displacing and overwhelming native flora. Invasive flora change the makeup and “structure” of habitat; in some instances they form a “monoculture” with little diversity. In others, they kill desirable vegetation.

More common invasives include vines such as Oriental bittersweet and porcelain berry, shrubs like barberry, multiflora rose, and Russian olive, and flowers such as garlic mustard and black swallow wort.

You can make a positive impact by working to eliminate invasive species on your preserve. However, consult with NSOLF before beginning any invasive species clearing to be sure you are attacking the correct plants and using the right techniques.

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS AND WHAT TO DO

Vandalism

Vandalism of any kind is illegal! Report any vandalism to NSOLF. Be prepared to document

  • what was done, where it is on the property, when you think it might have occurred, what action should betaken to remedy the situation and who would be the most appropriate to do any clean-up or repair work (you, NSOLF staff, workday volunteers, contractors).
  • See above for how to document the incident.
  • Record any vandalism on your Monitoring Report. Do not take any actionwithout NSOLF approval.

Dumping

Dumping of any kind is illegal! If there is any chance of hazardous waste involved, stay awayfrom the material. Do not open closed containers, sniff any suspicious substances or touch anycontainer which could potentially hold dangerous materials!! Report any instances of dumping on theproperty first to the NSOLF office, then report it to the local policeif instructed to do so by NSOLF. Be prepared to document

  • what has beendumped, how much there is, where it is on the property, when you think it might have occurred, how itcould be removed,
  • who would be most appropriate to do the clean-up work (you, a staff member, acontractor) and what special equipment might be needed to remove the material (a dump truck, abackhoe, a pickup, or other equipment).
  • Report any dumping on your Monitoring Report. Do not takeaction without NSOLF approval.

Off Road Vehicles

Unauthorized off road vehicle use (mountain bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and any 4x4 vehicle) isprohibited on all NSOLF preserves. If you find evidence of any wheeled vehicle use, report it to the NSOLF officeand note it on your Monitoring Report. Be prepared to document

  • where vehicles were being used, howthey accessed the property if known, what type of vehicle it was, and what damage may have been caused.
  • If youfind someone on a wheeled vehicle on a NSOLF preserve, get a license number or description of driver andvehicle if possible.
  • Approach them, only if you feel comfortable, and politelynotify them that wheeledvehicle use riding is prohibited on NSOLF preserves. Do not argue with them. Refer themto NSOLF if they would like to talk to someone else.
  • If you do not feel that they willleave the property, contact the police as soon as possible and then theNSOLF office. Never put yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

Camping/Fire Rings

Camping and fires are prohibited on NSOLF preserves. If a camping site found is presentlyoccupied, speak with the individuals if you feel comfortable and let them know that camping isprohibited on NSOLF preserves. Never put yourself in an uncomfortable situation. If you come upontents or other equipment and no one is present, leave a note stating that camping is prohibited and askthem to remove their camp from the preserve and to restore the area back to its natural state. Refer themto NSOLF if they would like to talk to someone else. Contact the NSOLF office ASAP about anycamping activities. Any evidence of fire rings or camping should be dismantled and the area should berestored to natural condition. Carry out any trash from an abandoned site with you. Make note of areasused for camping, and visit them periodically to ensure that they are not being continually used. Reportany evidence of camping or fires to the NSOLF office or on your Monitoring Report.