1. Research projects generally should be non-invasive, with no long-term impacts on natural communities or populations.  Absolutely no introduction of non-native species is permitted.  All projects should be compatible with planned management activities.

2. Negative impacts associated with conducting research on the preserves will be minimized by proper use of vehicles and equipment, and careful selection of study areas, schedules, and personnel.

3. Significant changes from the approved research project will require written approval.

4. Researchers working on a preserve will contact preserve staff prior to each visit (or at pre-agreed intervals) to coordinate access.

5. The principal investigator will submit a research progress report annually to the field office and preserve office by February 15 and will submit a final project report by the scheduled completion date.  Copies of subsequent publications, reports, etc., relating to the study shall be forwarded to the field office and preserve office.

6. Researchers are expected to provide a reasonable amount of free consultation at their convenience to Conservancy personnel on the implications of their work on Conservancy preserves.  A seminar of research results to Conservancy staff and/or trustees is encouraged.

7. All equipment, materials, etc. will be removed from the field by the researcher in accordance with the scheduled project time table, unless other arrangements have been approved.

8. Researchers are expected to conduct their projects in accordance with the approved proposal. Conservancy staff has discretionary authority for all activities on Conservancy preserves, including research.  Staff may halt the project pending an evaluation, discussion, and decision, under the following circumstances: an emergency situation exists, a research activity is having or will have a significant negative impact that was not anticipated during project evaluation, the researchers are not fulfilling obligations agreed to in the approved proposal, or a research activity has deviated or is deviating significantly from the proposal.  Likewise, a researcher may appeal the actions of Conservancy staff when the researcher believes those actions are interfering with an approved project.  Obviously, only major impasses would require this type of action. Researchers and Conservancy personnel are expected to cooperate with each other and resolve minor problems that may develop.  Researchers and Conservancy personnel are expected to cooperate with each other and resolve minor problems that may develop.

9. Researchers should be prepared to educate others as to what, how and why they are conducting their research.  They should also discuss conservation considerations in research results and when instructing students.

10. The Nature Conservancy shall be given proper credit in all published papers relating to research or studies conducted on Conservancy preserves.  Conservancy staff should be given recognition and acknowledgement when appropriate, and should be considered for co-authorship in publications if applicable.

1. All collecting of plants, animals, rocks, minerals, or parts thereof (living or dead) must be authorized in writing.  The collections shall be used for scientific or educational purposes only, and shall not be used for commercial profit.

2. Researchers are expected to have knowledge of all regulations pertaining to the collection of plants or animals under study and must obtain any necessary state or federal permits prior to collection, in addition to the Nature Conservancy permit.

3. Researchers are expected to collect discriminately, taking only the amount necessary to complete the project.  Where a voucher is appropriate, researchers should collect only a single individual.  If a number of individuals must be collected, neither the survival nor reproductivity of the population should be threatened.  Carefully consider the cumulative effect of research and teaching efforts on the population.  If the preserve population is small (< 25 individuals), researchers can only photograph the organism for field documentation.  Collecting rare animals or animals from very small populations is prohibited.

4. Researchers are expected to collect in a discreet manner, away from roads, trails, and developed areas unless specified. Minimize damage to the physical site by restoring soil and litter to original condition.

5. The Nature Conservancy expects researchers to care properly for collected specimens. Unless previously agreed to, use standard collecting techniques to ensure usability, preservability, or survivability if you plan to maintain live plants or animals.  Follow standard specimen preservation and labeling methodologies.  When finished with a collected specimen, deposit the specimen in a permanent public museum or in the exhibit, study, or type collections of scientific or educational institutions, and inform The Nature Conservancy of that location.  The Conservancy reserves the right to designate the depository of all specimens.