Land Trusts Truly Are Community Organizations

They stem from a need identified by local citizens, then brought to fruition and carried on year after year thanks to the efforts of the community. The work is rewarding and interesting, and the overwhelmingly positive results justify the effort and funds invested by volunteers and donors. The positive impact is hard to measure, but is realized by each person who becomes involved, engaged and informed by the work of a land trust; who experiences a deeper connection with people, places and wildlife; and who experiences the quiet calm of a nature reserve protected forever as described (however inadequately) above.

Step One – Before You Start

What kind of land trust do you want to be? Which Land Trust activities do you want your land trust to do? Create a community process to draft a purpose/mission statement. That way, you will get the wider community buy-in for your goals.

Where will the resources needed (financial, human, community) for these activities come from? Become familiar with the Standards and Practices for Land Trusts, and be aware that you should have the resources to meet these standards in the future.

Here is a Land Trust Starter Kit that OLTA updated in collaboration with the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts. This is a comprehensive resource that helps guide interested groups through the process of initiating a new land trust in their community.

Step Three – Almost There

• Join the Ontario Land Trust Alliance
• Make application to CRA for charitable status (to issue tax receipts for donations)
• Build a strong organization with a shared vision, community support, a complete skill set, and lots of money
• Complete your first conservation project
• Celebrate at your first AGM!