2008 accomplishments
Focus on the Bonne Femme Watershed
In keeping with the goals and objectives of grant funding from the Missouri Department of Conservation, Program Manager Jeff Barrow focused his attention on the Bonne Femme Watershed. Jeff met with numerous watershed landowners in an effort to promote the use of conservation easements to protect conservation values on private property. He also worked directly with several landowners to develop conservation easement agreements, although to date none of those agreements have come to fruition. Jeff organized, coordinated and participated in an evening workshop on conservation information, tools and opportunities for Bonne Femme watershed landowners. We continue to see the Bonne Femme watershed as a critical area for protection of conservation values, natural areas and sustainable agricultural lands. Jeff’s efforts, and contacts with landowners as well as city, county, and state officials, will have long-term conservation benefits for this watershed.
Agricultural Easements
The Greenbelt Land Trust holds a conservation easement on the Tom & Marilyn Vernon property, which includes a one-acre vineyard. We have been actively working on another agricultural easement this year. We believe that sustainable local agriculture is an important part of the network of green space in mid-Missouri, and that conservation easements can help protect our agricultural heritage as well as benefit landowners who wish to see their agricultural lands preserved.
Urban Easements and Land Donations
Much of the interest in the Greenbelt Land Trust this year has been within the limits of the City of Columbia. Both of the properties owned by Greenbelt are within the city. Spring Valley Nature Preserve, for example, enhances the value of the neighborhood and serves as a focal point and source of pride for local residents. This model of a neighborhood nature preserve is an excellent model for Columbia, laced as it is with creeks, floodplains and steep slopes that are marginally suited for development but ideal as community green space. The Land Trust is actively working with city officials, developers, landowners and (of course) lawyers on specific riparian corridor donations. Watch the newspapers for developments on this in the coming year.
Working with MU students
The Greenbelt Land Trust continued to work with student volunteers from MU’s Office of Service Learning this year. Senior Cristy Wittich worked on coordination of our volunteer work days, and brought a wonderful level of energy to the Land Trust. She has graduated now, and we miss her! Students Casey Williamson, Amanda Cleaver, and Bryan Hefti revised our web site in a format that will be much easier for volunteers to manage and update. The Service Learning program enables students and community service organizations such as ours to develop projects together. Expect more benefits to our Land Trust and to service-oriented students this year.
Stewardship activity and easement monitoring
We continued a program of what we believe is professional-caliber stewardship on our two properties, Hinkson Nature Area and Spring Valley Nature Area. We continue to follow our Management Plans for both areas. Invasive control remains a top priority, and has been the focus of numerous volunteer workdays in the past year. In addition, volunteers continue to monitor both our properties and our two easements, with any changes or concerns documented and addressed in annual monitoring reports.
Participation in the Land Trust Community
The Greenbelt Land Trust continued to develop professionally as volunteers attended both regional and national Land Trust Alliance workshops, with scholarship money as well as at personal expense. Volunteer Board members are active participants in a developing coalition of Missouri Land Trusts. The business of Land Trusts is complex and technical. We believe active training, as well as networking with other Land Trusts, is essential for the long-term success of the Greenbelt Land Trust.
Board candidates welcome
We are actively seeking Board candidates who can further the goals and objectives of the Greenbelt Land Trust. You don’t have to be an expert in non-profit corporate management. You do have to share the values of the Greenbelt Land Trust, and be willing to pitch in to help preserve green space in mid-Missouri. Please contact the office or a Board member if you are interested in serving on the Board.