Stewardship
Our Stewardship program is a perpetual commitment to care for the lands we protect. Our mission is to encourage good stewardship and management practices on the land.
Founded by foresters, Mount Grace employs practices and techniques on our lands that are based on science and time-tested approaches from the fields of forestry, conservation biology and sustainable agriculture that demonstrate to the public and other conservation organizations how active and responsible stewardship can provide long-term environmental and economic rewards.
Conservation Restriction Oversight
As a Land Trust, we are responsible for ensuring that the important public benefits provided by land protection, such as clean water, contiguous forests, and biodiverse habitats, are sustained in perpetuity. Each year, these properties are visited by our stewardship team, which includes trained volunteers, to ensure the conservation values of the land are being protected forever.
We work with our community of deedholders to help them navigate any issues and concerns that arise, whether it be how to deal with an infestation of invasive species or securing approvals for an allowable use on the land.
A Conservation Restriction (known as a Conservation Easement outside of Massachusetts) is a legal agreement between a private deedholder and a qualified nonprofit, such as a land trust, that permanently protects land.
People choose to place a conservation restriction on their property to ensure it remains protected for future generations—whether it's a family farm, a favorite hiking trail, or a cherished fishing spot.
Conservation Area Management
Mount Grace holds in-fee more than 2,800 acres open to the public for hiking, wildlife watching, hunting, and other recreational uses. Each property is evaluated for wildlife, plant communities, and critical habitats, and managed through long-term stewardship plans that support biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable forestry. Where possible, we create accessible trail experiences so nature and wild places can be enjoyed by all people.
If you have questions about the Mount Grace Stewardship Program, please contact Stewardship Manager Tessa Dowling at 978-541-1769 or dowling@mountgrace.org.
Volunteer with our Stewardship team
Our volunteers help care for the land in many ways—from trail construction and maintenance and installing signage to leading nature walks and monitoring properties.
Examples of Mount Grace’s innovative stewardship practices at our conservation areas:
Mount Grace management components include:
- Trail construction and maintenance
- Invasive plant control
- Wildlife and habitat monitoring
- Ecological planning & restoration
- Sustainable habitat management