The most important obligation of a Land Trust holding a Conservation Agreement on privately owned lands is the yearly monitoring that must take place in order to determine if any restrictions on the lands have been violated. In the case of the Balkwill Conservation Agreement, restrictions exist on the natural heritage and on the agricultural lands. An inspection of the lands must occur which looks at the lands and the restrictions that apply. To begin the monitoring process for 2009, Shirley Grondin telephoned Bill Balkwill to make two appointments as the Balkwill Lands take several hours and two monitoring sessions seem to work well. Linda and Ernie Kennette are monitors who have a long time interest in the Balkwill Lands as they have collected seeds on the Lands for many years. Photographers Alan Batke and Larry Onysko were contacted to make a record of the two monitoring sessions.
The first monitoring visit on May 13, 2009 examined the Old Logging Road, the agricultural areas, the grassy lane to the Pond and Prairie Restoration site, Lanes 1 and 11 as well as the boundaries of the Lands. Shirley Grondin took the role of head monitor while Linda Kennette recorded the route and interesting observations.
Land owner Bill Balkwill was able to accompany the monitors and assist with identification of plant species including Kidney-leaved Buttercup and Alumroot. Photographers were able to obtain images of various shrubs and plants in bloom.
The second montoring visit was conducted on May 20, 2009 with Linda Kennette acting as head monitor while Shirley Grondin recorded the route along with any comments. Landowner Bill Balkwill was not able to accompany the monitors on this walk which included Lanes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, and 10. Photographer Larry Onysko captured images of this monitoring sessions including the colourful Golden Ragwort in a wet area of Lane 3.
Upon conclusion of the monitoring it was determined that no violations of the restrictions had taken place. For example, there was no evidence of cutting of trees, construction of roads or dumping within the areas of natural heritage and on agricultural lands.
Following the monitoring sessions, reports were prepared which will be filed with the Land Trust as well as provided to the landowners for their records. These reports are important as to the documentation of yearly monitoring by the Land Trust.