> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://open-forest-protocol.gitbook.io/project-operator-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://open-forest-protocol.gitbook.io/project-operator-guide/project-monitoring-on-open-forest-protocol.md).

# Project Monitoring on Open Forest Protocol

This guide walks you through the steps necessary to begin monitoring tree data for your project.

\
**Project Monitoring occurs for every stage of your project's lifecycle. You will repeat the following steps for every stage.**\
\
\
When you are ready to begin the monitoring of your project, click the 'Start Project' button in the Project Operator dashboard. 

<mark style="color:red;">**IMPORTANT:**</mark> **ONLY** click 'Start Project' when your project is ready to begin recording tree measurements, trees must already be planted. Once the countdown clock starts, you have 6 months before your first report is due. \
\
Please note that it may take a minute or two for the interface to update once you start your project.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uJdOrYxlGkp4Js8HPkirLXx8Kq4T6stZAwbANhx8C9SKzaso7VFF1rXzgn8BfROWcw1W_mDIkGwDg7sEEQSdSUiJS-i2mgVQe2T-AbUU6XWOXBuXvp6Gza9m3_Jak3SdRwhf2LjwClpoUp1S5mlmUNo" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. **Set up the Monitoring Zone**&#x20;

After you have started your project, click on 'Setup Monitoring Zone' and determine the area your organization will be collecting ground data from during this monitoring stage **(monitoring stage = 6 months).**

There are two options when determining your monitoring zone;&#x20;

1. *Entire Monitoring Zone* - If the entire land area of your KML already has trees planted and it is operationally feasible for you to the measure all the sample plots within a 6-month period, you can select this option.&#x20;
2. *Draw a smaller zone* - You can create a smaller monitoring zone within your KML for the initial 6-month stage. If for example, you are staggering your tree planting activity over several years and there are sections of the land area with no trees, you can include this land area in a later monitoring stage.&#x20;

<mark style="color:orange;">A monitoring zone should be a zone where trees have already been planted and of a</mark> <mark style="color:orange;"></mark><mark style="color:orange;">**minimum size of 0.3 ha.**</mark> <mark style="color:red;">It can be the entire project area. It should NOT include buildings, lakes, etc.</mark>

<figure><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ym74xctqT5LlN-bHidqXNf5Z2UnMJyjuA_pjqT9VhgzupwBqKqib0f8cAbssh4MDTx2n9mAdtm6fuN7nXcQ2IkNhuHvMqx_W5YZWqCtOgDZWyG4H7IyWCl0gO9dFjN1vCQXW20tisjKRMbtXMwQdLsA" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. **Set up the Sample Plots**&#x20;

Provide the *expected* tree density **once trees are mature.&#x20;**<mark style="color:red;">**NOTE:**</mark>**&#x20;Please be as accurate as you can with intended tree density as this number calculates the radius of your sample plots and determines how many trees you will measure.**&#x20;

The protocol will randomly place sample plots to monitor over the lifetime of your project duration.&#x20;

<mark style="color:red;">**IMPORTANT:**</mark>**&#x20;You can move a certain percentage of generated sample plots** that may of been placed in inaccessible areas or not located in a forested zone. It is important to ensure sample plots are in the best locations to measure your forest growth.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FHeVDLzeXJG5wXqigQWsXw_h7jkzUdpdpWv5NaNRc2Yq3VKwyG33AC1Lr3R3NKh2bCeXe4GdKto-aDBfhITNLR-brVJHNzkqwt4_tgLPRb0pxDKtNcEU1NXI26qE80H9hrzAGf5RNSbuctCsEpTMXDw" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. **Assign Field Agents**

Click on 'Assign Field Agents' and create Field Agents (with name and email) or assign existing Field Agents to sample plots for data collection.

Field Agents will receive an email **(open email on mobile device)** and will then be prompted to download the Forester Mobile App and will be able to see the project and sample plots to monitor.

<figure><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Qt0Uj68Px2n82g_KpjCrMvjDJWi-oOs-m6MFGKSGDXOpyz9XWFqlKQy97husBl4DxyGrz4h-SS4MgN9d7T8KHhtcKk5QwAkG_1Be2He4nI5nSbjKkiwh_fzGf2AsUhihcjtYKWIHnVrYNhgCIJLAo8I" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. **Collect Ground Monitoring Data**\
   Please make sure your Field Agents follow the best practices to :&#x20;

* Prepare ground monitoring session and collect the ground data, **see next page** titled **'Data Collection Guide for OFP Field Agents'**
* For extended reading see the complete onboarding guide [here](https://docsend.com/view/tkx78at25dai9q8k/d/pp98egkpvpngif3m). (Spanish [here](https://docsend.com/view/tkx78at25dai9q8k/d/bqazxz28izp5csgi))

<figure><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cGuSQAbQ_0ZJUuOlIbx2jhssC6FD9xUHtzlLQkNPD9AXhUn6bGCZ4g5Gr6mSI9t4jDssPSoGj-kpU22-Ftm8CkRpVzrq6TjUI_9KbPWL_xqU1XiJyzgotAD1R1ezqMgac-V__pwJn-zMsLHlsstSqQ0" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. **Prepare and Submit Stage Report**

Once forest data is collected, your Field Agents send the data back to the Project Operator Dashboard, by clicking 'Save'. **It's best to do this in a wifi or strong 4G zone, including photos, it's a lot of data.** Once data is uploaded to the Project Operator Dashboard, click on 'Submit Stage Report'.&#x20;

<mark style="color:red;">**IMPORTANT:**</mark> Please check and verify that **ALL** the data is collected to a high standard, following the *Standard Operating Procedures (next page)*, and visible before submitting the report. Coordinate and check with Field Agents if needed, <mark style="color:red;">**submitting a report with missing or inaccurate data may result in a Denied validation.**</mark>&#x20;

You may add documentation and comments that could be relevant for validators. Once your stage report is ready for validation, **click 'Submit Stage Report.'**

<figure><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tFTMsIlX9CmVREsP-z2IAjG9Zc3A8cXgrLUHSHSe1M9TtOMJoeVBrBCsA3nO5xvVNWathSNW2GUMgK9yX-gZ84lzjOuUIjOSuDmTCPPp3_gm-7KzR_hQ0fUxtACFDR3AaZ-i_oSqUXsAEJiw64Fbvuc" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Repeat this process every six months for the first two years, then annually thereafter.** The following link is a video demonstrating the entire project creation process, [**Click Here**](https://docsend.com/view/tkx78at25dai9q8k/d/hcz9caeckhc5viv2)**.**&#x20;


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://open-forest-protocol.gitbook.io/project-operator-guide/project-monitoring-on-open-forest-protocol.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.