There are six ways you can support the Highlands Corridor.
- Make a donation to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT), specifically to our campaign to purchase land in the Highlands Corridor.
- Become a member of the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
- Donate your land in the corridor to HHLT.
- Participate in a land stewardship program.
- Enter into a conservation easement agreement with HHLT.
- Become an HHLT Partner in Conservation.
How to Donate Land
There are several ways you can create an enduring and living legacy that will build a sustainable future for your children, grandchildren, the community and the environment. This section details two ways of donating land to HHLT. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need more information.
Make A Gift of Land Through Canada’s Ecological Gift Program
Habitat loss and degradation are the greatest threats to long term biodiversity. Land Trusts have become one of the fastest growing tools for biodiversity conservation on privately owned land across Canada. There are many opportunities for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Through Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program private landowners can donate their land or donate a partial interest in the land through a conservation easement, covenant or servitude. Such donations offer significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land outright or a partial interest in land to qualified recipient organizations such as the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT). Recipient organizations become responsible for the conservation of the donated land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage - this responsibility lasts forever (“In Perpetuity”).
You can also reserve a “life estate” when you donate your property meaning that you or a family member can continue to live on the property.
Click here to download more information about Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program that you can share with your legal advisor. Contact us if you have any questions about this program.
Trade Lands
Trade Lands are gifts of property by landowners who want to support the work of a conservation organization like HHLT. The property may or may not have significant characteristics to warrant ongoing conservation efforts.
Properties that have been donated to HHLT would be evaluated for their ecological value that may warrant ongoing protection prior to being sold.
All proceeds from the sale would be applied to support ongoing conservation work or to support a specific property that has been donated to HHLT through Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. A donation of Trade Lands has tax benefits that should be discussed with your tax and/or legal advisor. Please contact us if you have any questions about trade lands.
How to Participate in Land Stewardship Programs
There are a number of federal and provincial programs available to private landowners that will help to protect and conserve your land and provide you with significant financial benefits. HHLT has published a booklet that you can download by clicking this link: Conservation And Stewardship Booklet
For more information, please contact us.
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)
Under the “Managed Forest” classification you pay only 25% of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties. The program is available to landowners who:
- own four hectares (9.88 acres) or more of forest land
- agree to prepare and follow a Managed Forest Plan
- are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
The plan must be approved by a Managed Forest Plan Approver who is an independent resource management consultant certified by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (“The Ministry”). Please contact us if you have questions about MFTIP.
Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP)
The Conservation Land Tax incentive recognizes, encourages and supports the long-term stewardship of Ontario’s provincially significant natural areas. Under a “Conservation Land” program landowners with eligible natural heritage features can qualify for a 100% tax exemption.
Qualifications include but are not limited to properties of:
- 1/5th of a hectare (1/2 acre) or larger in size, and have been
- Identified by the “The Ministry” as an eligible land type
Eligible land types include:
- Land that has been approved as a provincially significant area of natural and scientific interest by “The Ministry” or
- Land is a habitat for endangered species and/or is a provincially significant wetland as approved by the “The Ministry.”
Please contact us if you have questions about CLTIP.
How to Enter into a Conservation Easement Agreement
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization such as Haliburton Highlands Land Trust that allows you to permanently protect your property while still retaining ownership. Legally, a conservation easement is registered on the title and remains in force if the land is sold to a new owner.
Terms of the agreement are negotiated between the landowner and the conservation organization. The role of the conservation organization is to monitor and enforce the mutually agreed upon terms that have been put in place to ensure the ecological health of the property. Please contact us if you have any questions about easements.
How to Become a Partner in Conservation
HHLT Partners in Conservation now steward over 2800 ha of private land in the Highlands Corridor thereby building connectivity and protecting biodiversity in the Highland Corridor. Details on how to become a Partner in Conservation can be found here: https://www.highlandscorridor.ca/partners-in-conservation-program/