Sample monitoring and evaluation plan This is a sample monitoring and evaluation plan required for projects receiving

a grant of less than $35,000.

Grant reference number: Organisation Project title: Amount awarded: Project start date: Project completion date: 2009/RR/xxxx Somewhere Street Bushland Reserve Improve native vegetation in Somewhere Street Bushland Reserve $15,000 3 March 2009 2 March 2011

1. Introduction to monitoring and evaluation plan

The Somewhere Street Bushland Reserve Bushcare wants to improve native vegetation in the Somewhere Street Bushland Reserve by: - protecting remnants of Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest in a 1 ha bushland reserve - reducing areas of Asparagus Fern, Jasmine, Morning Glory and other weed species growing in the reserve - enhancing flora and fauna habitat corridors on the foreshore of the waterway adjacent to the site - encouraging new members to join the existing Bushcare group. Trust indicators used to measure progress towards achieving success include: - area regenerated - area from which introduced species will have been removed - target species for which habitats will have been improved or enhanced - area of project site that supports sediment and erosion controls - number of volunteers involved/hours contributed. Participants in the project include: - Councils Bushland Coordinator - Contractor to be engaged by council - all existing and new members of the Somewhere Street Bushcare Group Councils Bushland Coordinator will be responsible for: - managing and administering the project - engaging the contractor - coordinating monitoring and evaluation of project progress; and - reporting on the project.

NSW Environmental Trust Sample Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

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2. Monitoring & Evaluation Plan.

Objective
To protect remnants of Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest in a 1 ha bushland reserve.

Activity
Improve habitat for target species Conduct site survey

Project Measure
List target species

Measure
List

Tools/ Resources Required

Digital camera, quadrants, photopoints Digital camera, quadrats

Measured by:
Bushland Coordinator Bushland Coordinator

Measure taken every:

Baseline then 12 monthly Baseline then 12 monthly Baseline and then 6 monthly

Date completed
5 May 2009

Number of flora species occurring on project site (List) Area regenerated Area of connected vegetation established 1. Area weeded 2. Area maintained Area of the project site that supports sediment and erosion control Area revegetated

Number of flora species Area in Square metres Area in Square metres 1. Square meters 2. Square metres

5 May 2009

Regenerate site

To reduce areas of Asparagus Fern, Jasmine, Morning Glory and other weed species growing in the reserve To enhance flora and fauna habitat corridors on the foreshore of the waterway adjacent to the site

Remove weeds

1. 2.

Tape measure Attendance Book

Bushland Coordinator

Baseline then 1 month intervals

2 February 2011

Implement erosion control measures

For example 24 sq metres

Digital camera

Bushland Coordinator

Baseline then 6 monthly

2 November 2010

Introduce track closures, plant and mulch in degraded areas To encourage new members to join the existing Bushcare group Extend no of people involved Involve participants in evaluation workshops to evaluate project

Area revegetated

Digital camera

Bushland Coordinator

Baseline then 6 monthly

2 March 2011

Individuals engaged New people involved Individuals engaged

Number Number of new people engaged Number of volunteers involved/ hours contributed

Attendance book, indicating new people Workshop with morning tea

Bushland Coordinator Bushland Coordinator

Baseline then 6 monthly Before each report is due

5 May 2009

March 2010 March 2011

NSW Environmental Trust Sample Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

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Progress against indicators will be monitored regularly by the Bushland Coordinator. While project progress against timelines will be tracked every 2 months, overall project effectiveness will be assessed on a 6 monthly basis. This will be determined using: -photo points, allowing for determination of improvement in site condition -quadrats, allowing for determination of improved species diversity/ site coverage and -site survey. All measurements taken during the course of the project will be stored electronically at council. Should the need arise, the Bushland Coordinator will seek Trust approval to alter project timelines. It is important that the project is adapted around any delays in progress associated with potential inclement weather, difficulties in securing contractors and other challenges.

3. How will project achievements be evaluated and communicated?

Measurements and other project information will be collated as described in the plan collated for progress and annual reports. Results presented to the Bushcare group and other project participants. As well as allowing identification and implementation of improvements to the project, project participants can reflect on and acknowledge achievements made. and any any the

Changes to baseline measures will also be added to Schedule C and submitted with progress and annual reports. Before we do this, we will make additional measurements and compare them with the baseline measures we take before the project starts. These will be recorded and we can discuss any changes in what we are doing should occur to achieve our goal of the improved native vegetation in the reserve. At project completion, the Bushland Coordinator will: - Collate all information in the final report to be submitted to the Trust - Determine the effectiveness of the project in meeting project objectives and achieving project outcomes and - Determine the appropriateness of the project activities and project approach to achieving objectives We will have a small workshop of core participants and ask them how the project had gone, present them with the information we have collected and ask them for their feedback. We will also ask Reserve users what they think of the improvements using a short survey form. The project participants will hold a small event to acknowledge the completion of the project, and promote the works to the local community. Participants will also present on the project outcomes to the other council Bushcare groups at the next large scale event. Council will seek out local media opportunities to promote outcomes to the wider community. The Somewhere Street Bushcare Group intends to apply for further funds to undertake similar regeneration activities in another nearby bushland reserve once we define our next objectives to achieve our goal of fully regenerating the site to native vegetation that can be sustained.
DECC 2009/99 Published January 2009

NSW Environmental Trust Sample Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

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