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:

2009/RR/xxxx

Organisation

Somewhere Street Bushland Reserve

Project title:

Improve native vegetation in Somewhere Street Bushland

Reserve

Amount awarded:

$15,000

Project start date:

3 March 2009

Project completion date:

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

Activity

Project Measure

Measure

Tools/ Resources
Required

Measured by:

Measure taken
every:

Date
completed

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

Improve habitat for

target species

List target species

List

Digital camera,
quadrants,
photopoints

Bushland
Coordinator

Baseline then 12
monthly

5 May 2009

Conduct site survey

Number of flora
species occurring
on project site (List)

Number of flora
species

Digital camera,
quadrats

Bushland
Coordinator

Baseline then 12
monthly

5 May 2009

Regenerate site

Area regenerated
Area of connected
vegetation
established
1. Area weeded
2. Area
maintained

Area in Square
metres
Area in Square
metres
1. Square meters
2. Square metres

Implement erosion
control measures

Area of the project

site that supports
sediment and
erosion control

For example 24 sq
metres

Introduce track
closures, plant and
mulch in degraded
areas

Area revegetated

Extend no of
people involved

Individuals
engaged
New people
involved
Individuals
engaged

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

To encourage new
members to join the
existing Bushcare group

Remove weeds

Involve participants
in evaluation
workshops to
evaluate project

Baseline and then 6

monthly
1.
2.

Bushland
Coordinator

Baseline then 1
month intervals

2 February
2011

Digital camera

Bushland
Coordinator

Baseline then 6
monthly

2 November
2010

Area revegetated

Digital camera

Bushland
Coordinator

Baseline then 6
monthly

2 March 2011

Number
Number of new
people engaged

Attendance book,
indicating new people

Bushland
Coordinator

Baseline then 6
monthly

5 May 2009

Number of
volunteers involved/
hours contributed

Workshop with
morning tea

Bushland
Coordinator

Before each report is

due

March 2010
March 2011

NSW Environmental Trust Sample Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Tape measure
Attendance Book

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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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