One of the major components of ecological research and land management is data collection. Creating sampling designs which are statistically valid and intercompatible can be difficult. The R language software package sample design contains a collection of functions which can be used to facilitate the creation of statistically valid and spatially balanced sampling designs. These include functions for checking the spatial balance of sampling designs, determining how to allocate sampling effort, combine multiple sampling designs, and more. The package sample.design currently in use by the Bureau of Land Management as part of their Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring program.