Islands Trust Baseline Inventory Report Standard

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Baseline Inventory Report Standard 
July 9, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction 
The following document is intended as a guide for those preparing baseline inventory reports 
on properties owned and covenanted by the Islands Trust Conservancy. Baseline inventory 
reports are used by the Islands Trust Conservancy to provide information for management of 
nature reserves and covenants. Information may also be extracted to document the state of 
land being placed under a conservation covenant. 
 
What is a “baseline inventory report” and why is it important? 
A baseline inventory report is a record of the condition of the land and typically includes 
information on flora and fauna, other natural features. It also includes any human features such 
as buildings and trails. Information from a baseline inventory report can act as a legal tool in 
conservation covenant enforcement to demonstrate the natural values on a property when it 
was protected. Baseline inventory reports can also provide information to land managers for 
management planning. 
 
How detailed does the baseline inventory report need to be? 
Baseline inventory reports should be detailed enough to be able to get a site level 
understanding of the land. Information should be presented in simple language and should be 
understandable to the average person. Where technical language is necessary, resource 
materials to assist interpretation should be referenced. As a guide, baseline inventory reports 
for the Islands Trust Conservancy should be approximately 6-8 pages in length (excluding maps 
and photographs) with an additional 1-2 pages to describe each mapped ecological community. 
Use the format provided in the Contents of the Baseline Inventory Report (below).   
 
Before Beginning a Baseline Inventory Report You Must: 
1. Have an understanding of its intended use – is it to establish natural values present in a 
covenant area, to assist with land management, or to do both? 
2. Have a final completed survey of the land or covenant area done by a registered British 
Columbia Land Surveyor if available or another reference for the site boundaries. 
3. Be an environmental professional approved by the Islands Trust Conservancy. 
 

   ITC Baseline Inventory Report Standard 
 
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Recommended Baseline Inventory Report Procedures 
 
Who Should Collect Information?  
To ensure that the contractor hired to complete the baseline inventory report is a qualified 
individual, it is important that they be approved by the Islands Trust Conservancy prior to any 
data collection.  In some instances, the Islands Trust Conservancy may recommend or require 
that professional biologists, foresters, land use planners, or other professionals be consulted. 
Some baseline inventory reports may require input from biologists with expertise in species at 
risk. If archaeological sites are present, information from registered archaeologists may be 
required. 
 
Information Gathering 
The following 

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