Where Land Meets Legacy

Discover how land trusts are protecting Canada’s natural spaces and find out how you can support conservation efforts.

Deverell-Morton Nature Reserve

What is a land trust?

Land trusts are a non-profit charitable organization that holds as its core values the conservation of private property through donation, acquisition and/or conservation agreements (easements and covenants).

Bowen Island, Ontario, conserved by The Kensington Conservancy

What lands do they protect?

As opposed to a government sponsored conservation area, these land trusts protect private land in perpetuity, assuring the land stays conserved for generations to come.

The hallmark of a land trust is the direct action they take to protect the local land base, and that they hold those lands or conservation easements in trust for future generations.

Forests
grasslands

Wetlands
shorelines

Farmlands
cultural lands

Wildlife
habitats

Who can form a land trust?

A land trust can be set up by a group eligible to form a non-profit charitable society or organization. Thinking about starting a land trust? Learn what it takes to establish a land trust and how your group can contribute to conservation efforts.

“It is our natural spaces that hold the memories of our lives—and the stories of our family members that came before us. We all need to think about how we can contribute to our collective future prosperity.”

—Dennis Kingston, New Brunswick Nature Trust land donor

Joaquin Riesgo

Discover the national impact!

Land Trusts in Canada

Provide significant nature-based climate solutions through protection and restoration of carbon-rich habitats.

Establish a network of protected spaces with corridors that protect critical habitat for species at risk and broader biodiversity.

Contribute to the national goals of conserving 30% of land and water by 2030.

Likely grow and gain greater economic importance particularly by contributing to ecological goods and services that would otherwise require infrastructure development.

Work with local communities to protect natural spaces, promote conservation, and engage citizens in environmental stewardship.

Collaborate with Indigenous communities to support land protection, respect cultural knowledge, and foster reconciliation through meaningful partnerships.

Joaquin Riesgo

Explore the land trusts in your area through your provincial alliance’s website:

ON

BC

QC

For the Prairies and Atlantic Provinces, you can still discover local land trusts dedicated to conservation.
Check out the list of organizations working to protect these vital landscapes.

Prairies

Atlantic

Big Island, ON

Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island, conserved by Kawartha Land Trust, is the largest undeveloped island in the Kawarthas, home to pristine wetlands, lush forests, and diverse plant and wildlife species.

La Tourbière de Saint-Joachim-de-Shefford, QC

The Saint-Joachim-de-Shefford peat bog is a wetland with an area of approximately 200 hectares. Photo Joaquin Riesgo.

Conservation Area, AB

Rosebud River Conservation Area, Spruce Coulee Farms, Alberta. Courtesy Western Sky Land Trust.

Bowen Island, BC

Walking down to the coastal bluffs at the Cape Conservation Area, Bowen Island BC. Photo Owen Plowman. Courtesy Bowen Island Conservancy.

Blue Mt Wilderness Connector, NS

Swirling morning mists and shoreline at a protected part of Cox Lake in the Blue Mountain- Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Photo Irwin Barrett.

Riverside Woods, ON

Riverside Woods Nature Reserve, conserved by Bruce Trail Conservancy, spans 88 hectares of diverse forests, lush meadows, and wildlife habitats.

Stories of preservation and purpose

In their words: Why land trusts matter

“My parents loved to take our family on picnics by rivers and lakes wherever we were living. It was always easy to access such spots. But in Nova Scotia it has become progressively more difficult, because so much land is in private hands. Even beaches are being closed off when land is bought up by individuals. Everyone should have access to the water. Knowing I am doing my part with monthly support gives me a sense of belonging to my heartland, even when I’m over 1000 km away in Ottawa.”

— Ellen Gordon, Nova Scotia Nature Trust supporter

Stories of preservation and purpose

In their words: Why land trusts matter

“The use of land donations and easements is an efficient and low cost way to achieve the very capital-intensive objective of saving critical habitat.”

— Anne Campbell and John Lindsay, Nova Scotia Trust supporters and first Guardians

Stories of preservation and purpose

In their words: Why land trusts matter

Those that give a property, are glad to do that. But the hard work comes afterward. There’s a group of people who look after preserves with the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. They build bridges. They clear pathways. It’s beautifully maintained. It makes you realize the good things that the Nature Trust is doing.

—Sheila Washburn, land donor (Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve)

Photo Victoria Spitsyna

YOU can make a difference too!

After reading these inspiring stories of donors, take action by contributing to protect the places that matter. Every donation helps safeguard Canada’s natural legacy.

Where Land Meets Legacy

What is a land trust?

What lands do they protect?

Who can form a land trust?

“It is our natural spaces that hold the memories of our lives—and the stories of our family members that came before us. We all need to think about how we can contribute to our collective future prosperity.”