Community Land Trusts By: James Bates-Eamer

What is a Land Trust? A land trust is a private, non-profit conservation organization formed to protect land of natural and heritage value through a variety of means. A land trust is a private, non-profit conservation organization formed to protect land of natural and heritage value through a variety of means. They frequently work in partnership with governments, other organizations, foundations, and businesses in achieving shared conservation goals. They frequently work in partnership with governments, other organizations, foundations, and businesses in achieving shared conservation goals.

Continued Usually founded by local residents who come together because of their mutual concerns about the preservation of natural land. Usually founded by local residents who come together because of their mutual concerns about the preservation of natural land. Because they are non-profit organizations they can be granted charitable tax status. Because they are non-profit organizations they can be granted charitable tax status.

What does a Land Trust do? Provide public education about land stewardship, restore valuable habitat, receive donations of land, set up conservation covenants and raise funds to purchase land. Provide public education about land stewardship, restore valuable habitat, receive donations of land, set up conservation covenants and raise funds to purchase land.

Conservation Covenants In July 1994, British Columbia enacted Bill 28, the Land Title Amendment Act, This legislation allows landowners to grant a conservation covenant to any organization designated by the Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks. In July 1994, British Columbia enacted Bill 28, the Land Title Amendment Act, This legislation allows landowners to grant a conservation covenant to any organization designated by the Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks. A Conservation Covenant is a voluntary written agreement between a landowner and a designated conservation organization, in which the owner of the land promises to protect the land in specified ways. A Conservation Covenant is a voluntary written agreement between a landowner and a designated conservation organization, in which the owner of the land promises to protect the land in specified ways.

Continued The conservation organization holds the covenant and can enforce it if necessary, against the owner. The conservation organization holds the covenant and can enforce it if necessary, against the owner. Conservation covenant is intended to last forever, and bind future owners of the land, not just the current landowner. Conservation covenant is intended to last forever, and bind future owners of the land, not just the current landowner.

Nanaimo Area Land Trust The Nanaimo Area Land Trust (NALT) became a registered society in 1995 and was subsequently granted charitable tax status. The Nanaimo Area Land Trust (NALT) became a registered society in 1995 and was subsequently granted charitable tax status.

NALT – Linley Valley NALT raised $500,000 through donations and along with $1,563,000 from the City of Nanaimo purchased 145 acres in the Linley Valley from Alpine Village Development Corporation. NALT raised $500,000 through donations and along with $1,563,000 from the City of Nanaimo purchased 145 acres in the Linley Valley from Alpine Village Development Corporation. The property will be left as a city park. The property will be left as a city park.

NALT – Mt. Benson The Regional District of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Area Land Trust have partnered together to secure 523 acres of land on the north east slope of Mount Benson as a new Regional Park. The Regional District of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Area Land Trust have partnered together to secure 523 acres of land on the north east slope of Mount Benson as a new Regional Park. They will purchase the property from Pennclan Company (Ontario) Limited and P. E. Reeve and Associates Limited for $956,000 They will purchase the property from Pennclan Company (Ontario) Limited and P. E. Reeve and Associates Limited for $956,000 NALT is obligated to raise $500,000 in the next 2 years to cover their end of the purchase. NALT is obligated to raise $500,000 in the next 2 years to cover their end of the purchase.

NALT – Conservation Covenants NALT has a series of covenants from properties all around the Nanaimo Area. NALT has a series of covenants from properties all around the Nanaimo Area. - South Winchelsea Island - South Winchelsea Island - Errington (0.5ha) - Errington (0.5ha) - Coats Millstone Reserve (0.25ha on Gabriola Island) - Lasqueti Island Nature Reserve (21ha) - Wildwood Forest (in process)(136 acres) - Coats Millstone Reserve (0.25ha on Gabriola Island) - Lasqueti Island Nature Reserve (21ha) - Wildwood Forest (in process)(136 acres)

Cowichan Community Land Trust Cowichan Community Land Trust CCLT was formed in 1995 by concerned residents who wished to help landowners find alternatives to the destruction of natural areas and wildlife habitat. CCLT was formed in 1995 by concerned residents who wished to help landowners find alternatives to the destruction of natural areas and wildlife habitat. The CCLT does not have the financial background that NALT has but is more involved in small scale community projects. The CCLT does not have the financial background that NALT has but is more involved in small scale community projects.

CCLT – Projects Eelgrass Restoration in the estuary. Volunteers harvested, prepared, and transplanted 400 eelgrass shoots. Eelgrass Restoration in the estuary. Volunteers harvested, prepared, and transplanted 400 eelgrass shoots. The Tzouhalem Protection Project is mobilizing the residents of the Cowichan Valley Regional District to actively participate in a permanent protection strategy for an ecologically significant area which is threatened by the pressures of urban growth and development. Estuarine mud flats, mountains, ridges, shoreline, wetlands, creeks, old growth fir, and Garry Oak meadows are all found in the project site. The Tzouhalem Protection Project is mobilizing the residents of the Cowichan Valley Regional District to actively participate in a permanent protection strategy for an ecologically significant area which is threatened by the pressures of urban growth and development. Estuarine mud flats, mountains, ridges, shoreline, wetlands, creeks, old growth fir, and Garry Oak meadows are all found in the project site.

Continued The South Cowichan Stewardship Project is a two-year environmental program designed to conserve and protect ecologically sensitive areas along critical streams and rivers in the south Cowichan Valley. Privately owned lands bordering these streams will be the primary focus of the project. The South Cowichan Stewardship Project is a two-year environmental program designed to conserve and protect ecologically sensitive areas along critical streams and rivers in the south Cowichan Valley. Privately owned lands bordering these streams will be the primary focus of the project. Jubilee Community Garden project began in early 2004 to provide local downtown community members with a place to grow their own produce. Jubilee Community Garden project began in early 2004 to provide local downtown community members with a place to grow their own produce.

Questions?

Sources Cowichan Community Land Trust Society Nanaimo Area Land Trust Regional District of Nanaimo The Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia The Land Conservancy