Since September 2001, Canada South Land Trust directors have been meeting regularly, putting in place the foundation for a new land trust in Canada's Carolinian Canada Zone. The term "land trust" may be new to many in this area.
A definition of a land trust is provided on the Ontario Land Trust Alliance website. The term land trust refers to non-profit, charitable organizations which have as one of their core activities the acquisition of land or interests in land (like conservation easements) for the purpose of conservation. 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.
Land trusts and conservancies are generally local in scope and operation, but may be provincial, regional or even national. Most land trusts focus on conserving the biological values of land, but across the continent land trusts have been established to protect scenic, historical, agricultural, and recreational lands as well.
The Canada South Land Trust has as its objects the preservation of natural heritage within the County of Essex, the City of Windsor, Pelee Island and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Over the last decade, there has been steady growth in the establishment of land trusts throughout Ontario with some thirty-seven land trusts now associated with the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, the provincial umbrella organization which provides support for its member organizations.
The Canada South Land Trust has been acknowledged as a registered conservation charity by Environment Canada as of May 2003, and as such is looking forward to its first partnership with a landowner desirous to protect natural habitat in perpetuity in the area within which the land trust will be working.
On November 6, 2003, the Canada South Land Trust held its first Community Gathering at the Essex County Civic Centre building in Essex. Over thirty persons attended to learn more about Environment Canada's Ecological Gift Program and nesting Prothonotary Warblers in Essex County.
The Canada South Land Trust wishes to build a membership that is supportive of the work of the land trust, thus this newsletter is providing background information on the work of the land trust and is offering an opportunity for members of the community to join the land trust, extending their financial assistance through memberships and donations.
Every land trust must undertake fund raising as there are costs associated with the work of a land trust. The Ontario Land Trust Alliance has traditionally assisted with grants of several thousand dollars towards the expenses of conservation easements and land securement, but we know that the costs of this type of work may reach $10,000 per property as the expenses of land surveys, detailed land appraisals, consultation with lawyers, and establishment of endownment funds must all be considered. Negotiations regarding which party may assume costs will take place with each landowner and the land trust, but, to facilitate the process, the land trust may simply assume expenses.
Our current directors are David Ainslie (687-3835), Terry Anderson (733-3796), Bill Balkwill (733-5570), Tom Hurst (Treasurer, 839-4635), Betty Learmouth (Chair, 944-0825)) and Patricia Rhoads (Secretary, 975-4629). Please contact any of our directors for more information on the Canada South Land Trust's work.
Over the next few months, the Canada South Land Trust will be working to ensure the land trust becomes known within the community. The Canada South Land Trust will be attending community events such as the upcoming Ojibway Nature Centre's Winter Festival (February 1, 2004) and the annual Shiver by the River to be held this year at the City of Detroit's Belle Isle casino on February 7, 2004. A number of environmental groups will be attending this year's Shiver by the River including the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy.
Join us for our Annual General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 4, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Essex Civic Centre's Council Chambers.