Internet Resources

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Steward Responsibilities and Monitoring Forms

We have a new publication: the “Stewardship Manual for Volunteers”. It provides hints on planning monitoring, tells you what to look for when out in the field and contains all the forms that you need (these forms are also available on this website or at our office).

Monitoring Forms and Sheets for downloading
Here are some of the documents you will need for monitoring. All the documents below also appear in the Steward Information Kit. Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, but you can also obtain paper copies by contacting the Nature Trust.

Preserve
Monitoring form (as PDF) and Preserve
Monitoring form (as Word Document)

This is the form you complete after conducting
a monitoring visit. The form, combined with maps and photos you
have drawn, purchased or taken, comprise the property report.

Easement
Monitoring form (as PDF) and Easement
Monitoring form (as Word Document)

This is the form you complete after conducting
an inspection of an easement. The form, combined with maps and photos
you have drawn, purchased or taken, comprise the property report.

Volunteer Time sheet and Expense form: (25k PDF) The sheet keeps track of your hours and is used for funding and recognition purposes. The form is for reimbursing expenses like photocopies and postage. Please fill these out and send them along with your property report or as needed.

Fact Sheet on Steward Responsibilities: (42k PDF) This sheet provides a “job description” for stewards, including responsibilities, time commitments and skills.

Fact Sheet on Monitoring Procedures for Stewards: (40k PDF) This sheet outlines the steps you should take to plan, conduct and document your monitoring visit.

Monitoring Checklist: (21k PDF) A handy list of items to take on the monitoring visit.

**Adobe Acrobat reader (free) is required to view these documents.

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Stewardship - General Internet Resources

Map and compass use

http://maps.nrcan.gc.ca/maps101
The Canadian federal government has a good site on using and interpreting
topographic maps.

http://www.partsgeek.com/parts/learning_about_maps.htmlIntroduction to using maps, specifically on how to read topographic, shaded relief and road maps. This site has great links to other internet resources on the subject.

http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/
Although this site is intended for orienteering enthusiasts, it's also useful for hikers and walkers. Lots of information here, including how to read a compass, using a compass in conjunction with a map and purchasing a compass.

Photographic documentation

http://www.photo.net/learn
This site provides photography tutorials for the beginner, including the basics of light, exposure, film, shutter speed and camera equipment. There's also a subsection on nature photography (www.photo.net/nature/index).

http://www.kodak.com
The official site for Eastman Kodak offers lots of advice for taking
better photos (check their top ten techniques).

http://www.birdphotography.info/
Very helpful advice for photographing birds in the wild. Warning: chirping sounds accompany this page so don't be alarmed!

Wildlife identification

http://www.accdc.com
This is the site for the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre,
providing profiles on rare species and communities in the region.
It contains downloadable lists of plant and animal species found
in New Brunswick, including the common and scientific names, and
conservation status rank.

http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/index.html

Canadian Wildlife Service's website for Atlantic Canada has information
about migratory birds and endangered species.

http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/Nature-NB.html
This is a page from the New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists website. Scroll down to the �Plants and Animals� section and click on the links to find sites that identify and list wildflowers, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, whales and more. Many of the sites have photos.

http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/
This is a huge and very useful site for searching thousands of plant and animal species and ecological communities found in North America.

http://www.gnb.ca/0130/english/00aa.html
�Chickadee Notes�, the New Brunswick Museum periodical, has feature articles on some interesting New Brunswick species. Just click on �Publications� on the sidebar.

Weather and conditions

http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/index.html
Environment Canada's official site shows current weather conditions
and forecasts in New Brunswick, including storm warnings. You can
also check coastal conditions (click on a region of the map): http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/natmarine/ATLANTIC/nova_scotia_e.html

http://www.gnb.ca/0078/fw/huntsum.asp
This page is from the Department of Natural Resources and Energy. It provides access to the online version of the annual �Hunting Summary�, which provides hunting dates and times. Keep checking this page for the 2002 edition so you know when to stay out of the woods! *Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Safety in the field

http://www.civil.mtu.edu/%7Ehssantef/sar/bookEd4/Survival.html
Basic advice on what to do if you get lost in the woods.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/
Information on how to survive and stay safe in the wild when you are lost - really lost!
Includes sections on recognizing dangerous animals, building shelter and staying warm.

General Stewardship

http://www.stewardshipcanada.ca
This is a huge portal of Canadian websites related to land, air and water stewardship. There's a wealth of information here - you can contact organizations, review case studies and read articles.

http://www.ontarionature.org
This is the website for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists (FON), a network of Ontario conservation groups. Like the Nature Trust, FON holds nature preserves and are also active in land stewardship and education programs. They also publish a monthly magazine (�Seasons�) on environmental issues.

http://www.annapolisriver.ca/projects.htm
The Clean Annapolis River Project works to conserve and restore aquatic ecosystems in the Annapolis region of Nova Scotia. They also help communities and organizations with the sustainable use of their freshwater and marine resources.

http://www.landstewardship.org
The Land Stewardship Centre website provides links on sustainable land use - for everything from farms to backyards. Though the site is targeted specifically to stewardship programs in the province of Alberta, there are a number of helpful links (check the �Explore Topics� section) and a forum.

http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca
Located in Knowlesville, New Brunswick, Falls Brook Centre promotes sustainable forestry and farming.

http://www.web.net/~ccnb/
Tula Farm Land Trust was created by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick to promote sustainable agriculture. Contact them to find out more about this 29 acre farm.

http://www.fundymodelforest.net
The Fundy Model Forest works with resource managers, scientists and citizens to promote environmental sustainability of forests. The group exchanges information and evaluates different forest management approaches. Contact them to find out more.

http://www.fish.washington.edu/naturemapping/wildlife/index.html
This online manual (run by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) offers tips for carrying out inventories and monitoring lands.

http://www.lrconline.com/Extension_Notes_English/index.html

This website from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has simple
fact sheets on land management issues including wetlands preservation,
water quality, forest maintenance and more.

http://www.bayof
fundy.ca
The Bay of Fundy Connection website provides links
to many resources relating to the Bay of Fundy and its surrounding
coastal areas.

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