Forming a Land Trust
A Land Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organization that has as one of its main objectives the conservation of land. Land Trusts have been working in Alberta for over 100 years. Since the mid 1990s, the land trust movement has grown, resulting in the creation of several locally based land trusts.
Who can form a Land Trust?
A Land Trust can be set up by a group of individuals who wish to form a not-for-profit charitable organization.
Guidelines for forming a Land Trust
*Recruit volunteers (e.g. Directors) and staff if possible.
*With the Board of Directors and staff if possible, determine the mission and purpose of the land trust.
*Clearly define a mission that serves the public interest and set objectives that compliment the mission. This can include organizing and attending visioning, strategic planning and board development workshops.
*Clearly define board responsibilities and accountability, how decisions will be made, how finances for the land trust will be set up and monitored and what policies might be needed to guide the Land Trust’s activities.
*Determine what resources you will need to accomplish your mission and purpose and formulate a plan to obtain/build these resources
*Determine whether you want to be a not for profit organization incorporated under the Societies Act or the Companies Act.
*Draft by-laws (Societies Act) or Memorandum and Articles of Association (Companies Act)
*Research Canadian charity law and understand what is required to become and maintain charitable status
*Seek incorporation and charitable status.
*If you wish to utilize the Ecological Gifts Program from Environment Canada, apply to be a qualified organization
*Learn about and work towards any land trust standards and practices
*Seek out partnerships with other land trusts and your provincial Alliance
*Become familiar with legislation in your province that influences private land conservation activities (e.g. Alberta Land Stewardship Act and Conservation Easement Legislation)
*Have fun being involved in something worthwhile that will benefit everyone for generations to come!