Barrie, Ontario – October 26, 2026 – The Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) brings together more than 150 participants representing over 40 nature and conservation organizations and their supporters from across the province for its 2026 Gathering, taking place October 26 to 28 in the beautiful Township of Oro-Medonte at the Horseshoe Valley Resort near Barrie, Ontario.
The three-day event provides an opportunity for conservation professionals, land trust representatives and sector leaders to connect, share knowledge and strengthen relationships in support of nature and land conservation across Ontario. As the province’s conservation sector continues to grow, the Gathering highlights the importance of collaboration, community-building and collective action in advancing shared conservation goals.
This year’s keynote speakers include the Honourable Todd J. McCarthy, Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks; Dr. Adam Shoalts, national best-selling author, historian, archaeologist and geographer, described as “one of the greatest living explorers” and Vice Chair of the Niagara Land Trust; Renata Woodward, Executive Director of the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts; and Hannah Permaul Flores, an award-winning researcher and environmental advocate from the University of Toronto.
Marketa Evans, interim Executive Director of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, emphasizes the importance of bringing the sector together to foster meaningful connections, collaboration and accelerate the conservation of land across the province.
“Ontario land trusts are key players in conservation and nature. They work with landowners in innovative ways to protect, restore and steward land in every corner of the province. Land trusts mobilize significant private sector investments – raising an average of five dollars in private money to every dollar of government funding. And they are supported by tens of thousands of active and engaged Ontarians as donors, volunteers and supporters. It’s inspiring to see so many people come together who share a passion for nature and conservation.”
The 2026 OLTA Gathering celebrates the people and organizations working to conserve Ontario’s natural heritage while building a stronger, more connected conservation community. By creating space for knowledge-sharing and relationship-building, the event reinforces the value of working together to support the continued growth and impact of land trusts and environmental organizations throughout the province.
“The strength of the land trust movement is our connectivity and collaborative spirit,” says Daria Koscinski, Chair of the OLTA Board of Governors. “We are all here to work towards the same goal: conserving land for long-term environmental stewardship for the benefit of all Ontarians. Together, we can help build a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to enjoy.”
For more information about the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and its work to support land conservation across Ontario, visit OLTA.ca.
About the Ontario Land Trust Alliance
Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) focuses on providing community, knowledge sharing, and support to land trusts across Ontario. It empowers and supports highly effective, well-governed land trusts that engage their communities to protect forests, wetlands, nature, and water sources and provide natural climate solutions. OLTA builds capacity through training and educational programs, connecting land trusts to each other, resources, and their communities, leading and supporting on-the-ground conservation work, sharing knowledge and best practices, reducing financial barriers to land conservation, promoting organizational excellence, providing access to current research and acting as a voice for land trusts among the public, Governments, and other rightsholders. Our impact is Ontario-wide through 57 connected charities and communities. OLTA’s local land trust members currently collectively own and steward over 2,000 natural areas and green spaces across Ontario, with the leadership of thousands of supporters and volunteers annually. To support your local land trust, visit OLTA.ca.
Media Contact
Samantha Mills, Communications Manager (Greenlands)
The Ontario Land Trust Alliance
905-208-6582 ex. 160