Working Groups and Communities of Practice

OLTA coordinates several working groups and knowledge-sharing groups.

Working groups bring together expertise from across the land trust and conservation community to move forward our goals in areas such as climate resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion; Indigenous-led conservation, and young professionals.

Knowledge sharing groups and communities of practice offer a space to come together to deepen skills and understanding, while building community.

Most of these groups meet virtually, allowing people from land trusts across the province to connect with each other.

Engaging in these groups is a way to contribute to the wider land trust community.

We welcome you to reach out and get involved!

Working Groups and Communities of Practice

Climate Action Working Group

The working group is coordinated by OLTA staff and its membership is primarly Ontario land trust staff and board with representatives from academia. The working group has the following goals: provide research, guidance, and support to enhance private land conservation in Ontario in the face of climate change; provide a platform for information sharing; and increase public awareness of climate change as it affects land conservation.

The working group meets bi-monthly. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about the working group.

Conservation Easement Agreement Working Group

The working group is coordinated by OLTA staff and its membership is primarily Ontario land trust staff and board with representatives from government. The working group has the following goals: contribute to improving the framework supporting the use of CEAs in Ontario; facilitate the promotion of best practices in the form of the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices (2019) and OLTA guidance documents to reduce the risk of successful CEA challenges; seek third-party partnerships to backstop defense efforts in the face of challenges; build relationships with other entities that may use CEAs in any of its forms such as natural, cultural, etc.; and support OLTA funded projects focused on CEAs.

The working group meets bi-monthly. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about the working group.

Indigenous Engagement Working Group

The mandate of the committee is to foster respectful and meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, leaders, and organizations. It aims to ensure that the Ontario Land Trust Alliance’s (OLTA) land conservation efforts are aligned with Indigenous rights, traditions, and knowledge, while also promoting and supporting Indigenous participation and leadership in conservation initiatives. Additionally, the committee will advise on best practices for integrating Indigenous perspectives into OLTA’s programs and policies. Committee members are expected to meet bi-monthly or as needed, primarily in a virtual format. Each member will serve a two-year term, with the possibility of renewal, and will be actively engaged by participating in meetings, offering insights and recommendations, and supporting the implementation of the committee’s decisions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Advisory Group was established in 2025 to build and strengthen capacity to support land trusts in achieving goals around DEIA and amplify best practices. We also coordinate Supportive Spaces for people from specific equity seeking groups; currently there are a BIPOC Supportive Space and a 2SLGBTQ+ Supportive Space. For more information or to get involved, please reach out to us.

Young Professionals Working Group

The Young Land Trust Professionals Working Group aims to identify challenges and barriers facing young professionals (under 40) in the land trust sector when entering and progressing in their careers. These insights will be used to develop recommendations for better supporting the next generation of land trust professionals. Members of the community under the age of 40 are welcome to join the working group. The group meets virtually bi-monthly between April – September and monthly between October – March.

Communications Community of Practice

The Communications Community of Practice is a group of land trust communications staff as well as members of volunteer-led land trusts, and anyone who is involved in communications. We meet virtually on the second Wednesday of each month to explore aspects of communications, from best practices for engaging members through newsletters, to addressing negative comments on social media, to event planning, and everything in between. The group is casual, and you are welcome to drop in when you are able.

Volunteer-Led Land Trust and Land Trust Board Knowledge Sharing

This is an informal group of land trust board members and volunteers. Meetings are a combination of informal discussions and formal presentations focused on topics related to the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices (2019). It’s an opportunity to learn from each other and take advantage of the experiences of the collective land trust network.

OLTA hosts a virtual quarterly meeting. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about the group.

Research Hub

We’re developing a research hub where land trusts can share the research efforts they’re involved in, learn about possible research opportunities and collaborations, hear presentations from academics/ecologists, and potentially conduct research as a collective. If you’re interested in joining this group, please contactPlease contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about the group.

Working Groups and Communities of Practice

Working Groups and Communities of Practice

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