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The organizations in this appendix are involved in a variety of initiatives aimed at protection of private land. The descriptions have been provided by the groups. This list is by no means complete and we welcome information about other organizations working in this area.
Active since 1983, Arrowsmith Ecological Association has focused its work primarily on alternatives to pesticides, sustainable forestry, waste management and watershed protection. It conducts public education programs, lobbies for better pesticide regulation, and initiates appeals to the Pesticide Appeal Board.
It has worked in coalition with other groups in the area, including Friends of Rowbotham Ridge and Friends of Parksville Flats to protect land which is privately owned from development.
It is currently working toward land use guidelines for Errington, one of the few areas in B.C. not presently subject to zoning.
"The California Coastal Conservancy was established in 1976 as a companion nonregulatory agency to the California Coastal Commission, which was created by a statewide citizen initiative calling for strong measures to save the coast. The Conservancy, a small entrepreneurial state agency, was given broad authority to resolve contentious disputes arising over proposed development of the state's magnificent 1,100 mile stretch of coastal lands. ... In 1982 its granting authority was formally expanded to include grants to nonprofits to undertake projects in all of its program areas, including acquisition, resource restoration, and coastal access. ... The Conservancy's model — its regional focus, broad and flexible powers, non-bureaucratic mode of operation, and direct funding and fostering of nonprofits — has inspired replication efforts within California and elsewhere." 295
Planning Department
Vancouver City Hall 453 W. 12th Avenue Vancouver, B.C.
V5Y 1V4
Phone: 873-7344 Fax: 873-7060
The Vancouver Heritage Advisory Committee was established in 1974 to advise City Council on the need for preserving heritage buildings, structures of lands, the costs and benefits of preservation, and the designation of heritage buildings, structures and lands. The Committee includes one city council member.
To date, 111 buildings have been reviewed by the Committee and designated by City Council as heritage buildings under the Heritage Conservation Act. The effect of that designation is that the building cannot be demolished or renovated without the prior approval of City Council.
The Committee has not recommended heritage designation of lands without buildings, but some of the designations relate both to structures and the lands on which they are located.
P.O. Box 3698
Courtenay, B.C. V9N 7P1
Phone: (250) 338-8028 Fax: (250) 539-2000
The Coast Islands Conservancy is dedicated to working with island residents and landowners to assist in developing innovative ways to protect island lifestyles and the natural environment, and to promote greater public awareness of the need for a strong ethic of land stewardship. It presents research symposiums and community education materials for islanders on the beneficial opportunities of land preservation and land stewardship experience elsewhere.
The Conservancy is a registered society with charitable tax status in both Canada and the United States. It acts as a land conservancy, solicits and receives grants of island land and raises funds through charitable public donations to purchase land consistent with the society's conservancy objectives. Over the last two years the Conservancy has been party to or involved in fundraising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Conservancy provides assistance to other B.C. conservancy organizations interested in protecting private land, including advice about how to set up a conservancy, how to obtain charitable status, and how to do fundraising with Canadian and American donors.
279 Second Street
Courtenay B.C. V9N 1B6
Phone: (250) 334-0874
The Comox Valley Community Land Society is committed to the long-term preservation of the Comox Valley through effective land use planning.
The Comox Valley Community Land Society was formed in 1991 as a society under the Society Act. It works with Coast Islands Conservancy on fundraising.
The society was originally formed to work on protecting a particular piece of threatened floodplain, which had been in the Agricultural Land Reserve until an attempt was made to use it for a regional college. That initiative had caused speculators to buy the property. When the college ultimately refused to build on the floodplain, the developers were successful in having the land rezoned as residential. The society fought the rezoning through a variety of legal and community development organizing means but finally the council affirmed its decision to permit the residential development to proceed. The society was meanwhile attempting to purchase the lands as community gardens, but the rezoning decision priced the land out of their reach.
The society's current activities include drawing attention to the need for greenspace in the Comox Valley community.
P.O. Box 55
Hornby Island, B.C. V0R 1Z0
Phone: (250) 335-2887
Conservancy Hornby Island was formed in 1991. It is a society, currently pursuing charitable tax status. Conservancy Hornby Island is a member of Coast Islands Conservancy.
The purposes of Conservancy Hornby Island include fostering stewardship of Hornby Island and its adjacent waters, harmonizing human uses with the ecological needs of the land, community development and education, protecting wilderness and other natural habitats, researching locally relevant issues, and holding land.
The society was formed in response to a crisis: the threatened clearcutting of a tract of forest land. The threat has subsided, but Conservancy Hornby Island remains an active organization.
Activities include:
Wildlife Branch
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
780 Blanshard Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4
Phone: (250) 356-0928 Fax: (250) 387-2733
The British Columbia Conservation Data Centre is a computerized and centralized databank that is designed to provide an objective source of information on rare and endangered plants, animals, and plant communities. It was begun in 1991 as a joint project of the provincial government (B.C. Environment), the Nature Trust of B.C., the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Nature Conservancy (U.S.), with funding from government, industry, and private foundations.
At the heart of the Conservation Data Centre is a complex computer software system of more than 30 interrelated files, designed over the past twenty years by the Nature Conservancy (U.S.); paper files and maps also form key parts. Five full time staff (a zoologist, botanist, plant ecologist, data manager and project coordinator) coordinate and interpret the information.
CDC is networked with 80 other similar centres throughout North, Central, and South America, all of which use the same software and methodology. Every occurrence of tracked species or communities is recorded in as much detail as possible and mapped at l:50,000 scale on topographic maps, and cross-referenced to administrative features such as regional district, municipality, and forest district; and to ecological features such as biogeoclimatic zone, provincial ecosection, watershed, altitude, and habitat. Each occurrence is tied to a specific source or sources.
CDC does not have enough resources to do baseline assessments of individual pieces of land.
P.O. Box 60
Denman Island, B.C.
V0R 1T0
Phone: (250) 335-0517 Fax: (250) 335-2731
The Denman Conservancy Association is a registered society with charitable tax status, formed to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of the human and natural environment of Denman Island. Its activities include fundraising for the acquisition of threatened properties, lobbying for the protection of vulnerable areas, and generating community awareness and support.
Working with the Islands Trust Fund, the Denman Conservancy Association is successfully establishing a wildlife sanctuary called the Pickles Road project.
Denman Conservancy Association is currently working to protect a second piece of forested land on Denman, the 146 acre Lindsay-Dickson Forest. They have had a baseline assessment of the land done by the Conservation Data Centre, whose report identifies the property as containing one of the last relatively undisturbed fragments of the Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone, the smallest and most vulnerable of the fourteen ecosystems in B.C. The Conservancy has wide support for this initiative from the community, including the IWA, the local forestry union, as well as the Comox Band and the Sliammon Indian Band Council, the two First Nations who have a historic interest in the property. Denman Conservancy is now active in developing a conservation strategy for the entire Coastal Douglas Fir zone.
954A Laval Crescent
Kamloops, B.C.
V2C 5P5
Phone: (250) 374-8307 Fax: (250) 374-6287
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private, non-profit, internationally supported conservation organization whose goals are to preserve, restore, develop and maintain waterfowl habitat in Canada. The Canadian organization is part of an international network which includes the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand and Australia.
Either unilaterally or in association with other individuals, agencies or organizations, Ducks Unlimited Canada provides habitat security through easements, leases or acquisitions, and improves habitat by construction of dykes, channels, water control structures and by the establishment of upland nesting cover. Ducks Unlimited also has a public information and education program, and performs a catalyst function in the formulation of public policy.
Ducks Unlimited works extensively with private landowners. A biological assessment of threatened land is conducted and, if appropriate, is followed by an engineering assessment. If the land fits environmental and engineering criteria, Ducks Unlimited approaches landowners to negotiate a management agreement with them. Under such agreements, Ducks Unlimited can offer biological and land expertise, water control works installation and maintenance, seed for specific crops, etc., to encourage landowners to use the land in a manner which supports waterfowl and other wildlife.
321 - 1367 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C.
V6H 4A9
Phone: 737-3057 Fax: 738-7175
The Federation of B.C. Naturalists is the umbrella group for 45 naturalist clubs in the province and provides a unified voice on conservation and environmental issues.
Clubs have active education, conservation and recreation programs. They tend to focus on local habitat, but they also support the preservation of wilderness areas. Naturalist clubs may be able to help other conservation groups with plant and bird surveys.
The Federation publishes the BC Naturalist six times a year, offers membership support services, and sponsors meetings, workshops and summer camps.
One of its major projects, the "Land for Nature Project," offers support and assistance to clubs to do inventories and mapping of threatened habitat. Projects have been undertaken in the Okanagan, Lower Mainland, Central Fraser Valley, Kamloops area and Vancouver Island. In conjunction with the inventory and mapping work being done by club members, workshops have been sponsored to highlight habitat and wildlife issues and bring these to the attention of municipal and provincial government.
A workshop in February 1993 in the Okanagan recommended that a joint venture private land stewardship program be formed for the Okanagan. Partners could include the Nature Trust of B.C., the Federation of B.C. Naturalists, the Ministry of the Environment, Lands and Parks, and local conservation groups. Workshops in other areas of the province have noted similar recommendations.
In 1991, the Federation of B.C. Naturalists Foundation was formed to receive gifts of money and land to further the aims and objectives of the Federation.
P.O. Box 775
Parksville, B.C.
V9P 2G8
Phone/Fax: (250) 954-1100
Rowbotham Ridge is one of the few remaining subalpine pocket wilderness sites in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN). The site is particularly valued by residents in the Coombs/Parksville area because of its proximity to the community. The site is located at 1,000 meters elevation approximately fifteen kilometres southwest of Coombs and is a valued destination for day use. Rowbotham Ridge features well established access trails, a lake (Rowbotham Lake), subalpine wetlands and old growth forest. As well, the ridge provides spectacular views of Mt. Arrowsmith and Mt. Cokely.
The goal of Friends of Rowbotham Ridge is to secure the preservation of the site in perpetuity and to incorporate it within the RDN parks system as a wilderness site. The site straddles land owned by two forest companies, MacMillan Bloedel and Canadian Pacific Forest Products (CPFP). The society has already gained the endorsement of the RDN to acquire the site. Preliminary efforts have been made to arrange a land trade for CPFP's portion of the site with the B.C. Lands Branch, however, it has not yet been successful. The society will continue its efforts to work with the forest companies, regional and provincial governments to preserve and protect the site.
R.R. #1
Porlier Pass Road
Galiano Island, B.C.
V0N 1P0
Phone/Fax: (250) 539-2424
Galiano Conservancy Association was incorporated in 1989. It is a registered charity. Its purposes include the preservation, protection and enhancement of the quality of the human and natural environment, to conduct research, facilitate public education and forestry practices, promote harmonious land use practices and wilderness and habitat preserves, and to own land.
The Conservancy has been active in developing an analysis of timber resources and forestry practices, particularly on privately owned land. The Conservancy has developed a proposal for submission to the Protected Areas Strategy for 900 hectares on Galiano. The 900 acres includes both Crown and private lands, and represents a strip across the island covering part of the threatened Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem, a rapid change in elevation, and rare flora including manzanita. There is currently no mechanism in place to consider privately owned land and Crown land together in the gap analysis, even though it will not be possible for the government to meet its objective of twelve percent protected lands using only Crown lands.
The Conservancy acquired 42 acres on the top of Mount Sutil, together with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The land will be inventoried, and protected as an ecological reserve.
P.O. Box 9
Galiano Island, B.C.
V0N 1P0
GIFT was formed during the summer of 1991 with a single purpose: to raise the funds necessary to preserve and protect the Bodega Ridge area of Galiano Island. The Bodega Ridge area is a steep forested hillside opposite Wallace Island at the narrowest section of Trincomali Channel. A hiking trail offering spectacular panoramic views of more than 25 islands extends along the crest of the Ridge, surrounded by a first growth Coastal Douglas Fir forest. Its survival was threatened by MacMillan Bloedel's decision to sell its land holdings on Galiano and a 158 acre section of the Ridge was already in the hands of a contractor planning to commence clearcutting within days. GIFT was successful in negotiating the purchase of this property by the North Galiano Community Association. At the same time three GIFT directors and a Saltspring Island couple (the Bodega Partners) purchased an adjoining 157 acre lot.
P.O. Box 1358, Station B
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5R4
Phone: (613) 237-1066 Fax: (613) 237-5987
Heritage Canada was incorporated in 1973 as a national charitable organization with a mandate "to preserve and demonstrate and to encourage the preservation and demonstration of the nationally significant historical, architectural, natural and scenic heritage of Canada with a view to stimulating and promoting the interest of the people of Canada in that heritage."
Heritage Canada has a volunteer, subscribing membership which elects Governors, on an at-large basis, one from each province and territory. Any Canadian may become a member of Heritage Canada.
There are two main operating arms of Heritage Canada: one responsible for membership, public communication, government relations, awards and special events (Heritage Day); and one responsible for community based demonstration programs. The latter includes the Heritage Regions program which integrates all aspects of heritage community development.
The Government Relations office has particular responsibility for liaison with organizations promoting land trusts and the use of legislative means to encourage the responsible stewardship of lands of natural and cultural importance for the benefit of all Canadians.
316 - 620 View Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 1J6
Phone: (250) 384-4840 Fax: (250) 384-4840
The Heritage Society of British Columbia is an umbrella organization representing community groups, municipal committees, and corporations who are involved with heritage projects and concerns. It facilitates communication and disseminates information to 165 groups involved in activities ranging from archaeology through preservation of the built environment to the conservation of historic trails.
The Heritage Society of B.C. is interested in heritage conservation in its broadest sense, including natural heritage. Its 1993 conference, for example, was called "Environmental Heritage."
It is a comprehensive source of non-governmental information about heritage protection. The society has access to a database of all designated heritage sites in the province.
R.R. #1
Hornby Island, B.C.
V0R 1Z0
The Heron Rocks Friendship Society was formed by a group of Hornby Island residents in 1988.
It is a society with charitable tax status. It holds title to, and stewards, a waterfront property donated to the society by Hilary Brown, who continues to live on the donated property. In addition to its stewardship responsibilities, the society's 135 members conduct an educational program on the Island, which includes monthly "brown bag lunches" and educational visits on the Heron Rocks property.
"Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection program (REAP), approved in 1989, was shaped over a three year period by a 26 member coalition of environmental, farm, and outdoor recreation groups. ... the trigger was not rapid development but the public's growing awareness of the state's lackluster record in protecting public lands and the need to halt the severe loss of critical topsoil, wetlands, and other resources vital to the state's economy.
REAP, designed as a comprehensive ten year program, sets forth the protection of the state's natural resource heritage as official state policy. It funds a broad program: state acquisition of sensitive and distinctive natural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources; improved management of public and private agricultural lands; and extensive education and outreach activities to build public awareness about environmental issues.
Nonprofits are eligible to apply directly for funds for land acquisition projects under
a small ... private/public cost-sharing program." 296
Box 265
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
C1A 7K4
Phone: (902) 892-7513 Fax: (902) 566-9150
The Island Nature Trust is a private, not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to nature conservation on Prince Edward Island.
2nd Floor
1627 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1H8
Phone: (250) 387-4000 Fax: (250) 87-4047
The object of the Islands Trust under the Islands Trust Act is "... to preserve and protect the trust area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the residents of the trust area and of the Province generally, in cooperation with municipalities, regional districts, improvement districts, other persons and organizations and the government of the Province."
Its council is composed of 26 people, two each from thirteen local trust committees. The local trust committees are independently incorporated and have responsibility for land use planning and regulatory bylaws in their areas.
2nd Floor
1627 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1H8
Phone: (250) 387-4000 Fax: (250) 387-4047
The Islands Trust Act establishes the Islands Trust Fund to acquire and hold land and interests in land for protection of the special areas and features of the islands and waters of the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. The Islands Trust Fund is also authorized to provide assistance and support to private property owners to protect areas and features of ecological significance on their land.
The Islands Trust Fund has been involved in accepting profits à prendre and covenants and in taking title to lands for conservation purposes. It has trained staff able to do biological assessments of land.
The Islands Trust Fund is able to hold section 215 covenants.
P.O. Box 315
Ganges, B.C.
V0S 1E0
The Island Watch Society is a society whose mandate is to support and strengthen the mandate of the Islands Trust to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of the human and natural environment of Saltspring Island, and to facilitate public education for informed choice.
It is active on such issues as acquisition of park land, protection of forests, local government, recycling, Crown Lands, solid waste/liquid waste, and the Advisory Planning Commission. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Tideline.
The society encourages the protection of private land, agricultural and forest land through the use of covenants, local bylaws and the use of the Islands Trust Fund.
P.O. Box 2, Mallard Drive
R.R. #2 Nanoose Bay, B.C.
V0R 2R0
Phone: (250) 468-5737 Fax: (250) 468-9110
The Nanoose Property Owners and Residents Association is concerned with protecting the character of Nanoose Bay.
The Parks Committee, a subcommittee of the Association, has been active in developing community consensus about Nanoose Hill, known as the Notch to local residents. Currently Fairwinds Corporation, a developer, has made a proposal to put in a second golf course in their subdivision, for which they want an additional 174 acres of Crown lands currently being managed as a shelterwood system. In return Fairwinds is offering to give up 90 acres around the Notch, which is botanically very special, as a community park. The Parks Committee decided that the local people should have an opportunity for input on this proposed trade. After several open houses and blanket balloting in the neighbourhood the result was clear: 75 percent of the people voting were against the proposed swap, even though most people are for the preservation of the Notch. The next step is one of trying to arrive at a compromise.
The parks committee has also surveyed all of the local Crown lands to see whether they have potential as parks.
4th Floor
110 Eglinton Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
M4R 2G5
Phone: (416) 932-3202 Fax: (416) 932-3208
The mission statement of the Nature Conservancy of Canada states: "The Nature Conservancy of Canada is the only national organization dedicated to preserving biological diversity and protection of ecologically significant natural areas and places of special beauty and educational interest."
Over the past 30 years, the Conservancy has helped set aside over 460 nature preserves, protecting more than 110,000 acres across the country. Mostly it has dealt with land which has been donated or purchased, and which in turn it may donate to another conservation group. If the Conservancy keeps title to the property it arranges maintenance through leases or management agreements with naturalist groups or individuals.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has helped to set up conservation data centres in several provinces and to provide direction for conservationists. It has a volunteer scientific advisory committee, and its activities are directed by a Board of Trustees.
260 - 1000 Roosevelt Crescent
North Vancouver, BC V7P 1M3
Tel (604) 924-9771 Fax (604) 924-9772
http://www.mybc.com/groups-naturetrust
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a charitable corporation dedicated to the conservation of areas of ecological significance in British Columbia. Since 1971 the Nature Trust has acquired more than 30,000 acres.
The Nature Trust of B.C.:
Education is not part of the mandate of the Nature Trust and so it is not in a position to act as a resource to community groups.
Contact: Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
Wildlife Branch
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4
Phone: (250) 387-9717
The Pacific Coast Joint Venture encompasses coastal wetlands, major rivers and adjacent uplands of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California. It is one of several critical habitat areas identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This plan, created in 1986 by the United States and Canada and joined in 1988 by Mexico, is a partnership of local citizens, private companies, conservation organizations, and government agencies. A primary goal of the plan is to reverse the downward trend in waterfowl populations by returning their numbers to those recorded in the 1970s. In order to achieve this goal, the plan works to secure, restore or enhance priority wetlands and maintain some of the current upland uses to which waterfowl have adapted, such as farming and ranching.
The Joint Venture employs the following direct and indirect strategies to protect wetland and associated upland habitat:
Direct Strategies:
Indirect Strategies:
808 - 100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, B.C.
V7T 1A2
Phone: 925-1128 Fax: 926-3482
The Pacific Estuary Conservation Program is a cooperative plan to acquire, reserve and enhance wetland habitat essential to wildlife populations on the B.C. Coast. Begun in 1987, the program stems from an agreement between the B.C. Ministry of Environment's Habitat Conservation Fund, the Ministry of Crown Lands, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and The Nature Trust of B.C. Since 1987 the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program has acquired over 12,000 hectares of estuarine habitat and has assisted in obtaining conservation designation for nearly 7,000 hectares of Crown land. A seven member steering committee comprised of one representative from each of the participating organizations is responsible for approving properties to be acquired, approving site-specific management plans for each parcel proposed as a restoration or enhancement project, and for promoting land stewardship. Once acquired, lands are managed under lease agreements with the Crown or Crown agencies.
Education is not part of the mandate of the PECP and so it is not in a position to act as a resource to community groups.
R.R. #3, Site 338, C-5
Courtenay, B.C.
V9N 5M8
Phone: (250) 338-6165 Fax: (250) 339-4612
Project Watershed is an incorporated nonprofit society promoting community stewardship of Comox Valley watersheds through education, information, and action. The society plans to operate an abandoned fish hatchery on the Tsolum River as an environmental education facility for local school and college students and community steward groups. This program will teach stream survey techniques and provide general information about forest and aquatic ecosystems. The program will assist citizens to monitor the health of the streams and ecosystems near their own homes and become active stewards of their watersheds. Staff at the centre will travel throughout Comox Valley watersheds compiling water quality and quantity information and entering it into a database for public and government agency use. Landowners and community groups will be encouraged to engage in voluntary protection of greenspace through the use of various legal tools relating to private property. The society hopes to share information through a local Environmental Resource Centre.
Project Watershed is happy to serve as a resource for groups interested in community stewardship of their watersheds.
P.O. Box 202
Heriot Bay, B.C.
V0P 1H0
Phone: (250) 285-2331 (250) Fax: 285-2430
Quadra Island Conservancy and Stewardship Society started in 1990. It relied on the Coast Islands Conservancy for advice on setting up and is now a registered society with 450 members (out of an island population of approximately 2,500). It has charitable tax status.
The society's first objective was to buy a 57 acre piece of private land on Morte Lake. There was already a community path around the lake, and a small, undeveloped watershed. Fletcher Challenge, who owned tree farm licences around the rest of the lake, promised that they would not log around the lake for twenty years. That promise is reflected in its current five year plan.
The group was successful in purchasing the property. In one week it raised $60,000. It had some financial assistance from the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The land will be left as is and used for passive recreation.
The society is currently considering putting covenants on the property. As a property owner on Quadra, it will also consider accepting common law restrictive covenants and easements from other property owners on Quadra Island.
It is currently hoping to develop a series of interconnecting trails on the island, which might cross private property, and is negotiating with landowners to make that possible.
c/o Betty Motherwell
R.R. #3, Box 34, Booth Site
Quesnel, B.C.
V2J 3H7
Phone: (250) 249-5783
The Quesnel Telegraph Trail Preservation Society (http://www.telegraphtrail.org) was formed in 1991 to preserve, protect, develop and promote the original telegraph trail. The telegraph trail was originally put in place with the construction of telegraph lines north from Quesnel, northwest to Ft. Fraser, along the Bulkley Valley through Burns Lake, Smithers, and Hazelton, then across the Skeena at Kispiox and up the Kispiox Valley, north to Telegraph Creek and Atlin. The terminus of the trail, when it is finished, will be at Skagway, Alaska. There is also a proposal to develop the trail south to Quesnel to meet the Pacific Crest trail which comes up from Mexico and ends at Manning Park.
The society is currently negotiating with individual landowners over whose land the trail passed, to get permission for hikers to pass over the trail on their property.
"In a remarkable outpouring of support, Rhode Islanders voted in the late 1980s for a series of bonds to protect open space and recreational lands. ... State funds were matched by local bonds approved by virtually all the towns. ...
Although the land trust community was small at the time the bonds were proposed, the availability of a percentage of bond funds for private projects helped motivate grassroots political action and stimulated the formation of more land trusts.
Rhode Island's program is administered within the Department of Environmental Management. Land trust projects are reviewed by an independent commission appointed by the governor, which recommends projects for funding to the department's director." 297
R.R. #2,
Mt. Maxwell Road, C-2
Ganges, B.C.
V0S 1EO
Phone: (250) 537-9281 Fax: (250) 537-4192
Saltspring Island Water Preservation Society is a non-profit group of approximately 400 members. It holds a twenty acre parcel of land on Maxwell Lake and has entered into an agreement, cosigned by the Islands Trust, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing, the North Salt Spring Water Board, and Channel Ridge Developments Limited to acquire nearly 300 acres of land above St. Mary's Lake. The society obtained an injunction to ensure the preservation of those lands, which were being logged to provide lake views for other parcels of land. The society is also trying to allocate Crown land in the Cusheon Lake watershed.
201 - 195 Commercial Street
Nanaimo, B.C.
V9R 5G5
Phone: (250) 753-3459 Fax: (250) 753-2567
The Save Georgia Strait Alliance is an incorporated, non-profit society founded in 1990 to protect, preserve and restore the ecology of Georgia Strait and its adjoining waters. Membership includes about 700 individual members and 80 organizations: environmental, labour, First Nations, sport and commercial fishing, small business, community, peace and recreational groups. As well, SGSA works closely with U.S. groups working to protect Puget Sound. SGSA activities include public education, production of educational resources (books, videos, fact sheets, etc.), organization of a lending resource library, hands-on activities designed to promote stewardship of the marine environment, research, advocacy work and lobbying. Some issues addressed by SGSA include estuary and marine habitat preservation, sewage treatment, toxic substances, pulp mill pollution, oil transport safety, ozone depletion and fish farms.
2040 - 10th Avenue S.W.
Salmon Arm, B.C.
V1E 4M2
Phone: (250) 736-9221
Turtle Island Earth Stewards is a group which has long been involved in the protection of private lands. They have acquired property as a land trust, and administer it through a stewardship agreement with the people who live on the property. They are committed to the development of Community Land Trusts, and work with community groups to develop ways to involve the community in land uses beneficial to the land and people. TIES will act as a resource for groups interested in protecting private land. They will do workshops on how to set up a land trust and they will provide printed information about land trusts. They also have models of alternative dispute resolution for people involved in working through issues around community land trusts.
TIES promotes the sustainability of local ecosystems and livelihoods throughout the world by the application of land trust and land stewardship principles.
c/o City of Vancouver Planning Department
Vancouver City Hall
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C.
V5Y 1V4
Phone: 873-7344 Fax: 873-7060
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation exists to promote the preservation, maintenance and restoration of buildings, structures and lands in the City of Vancouver, and to promote participation in heritage conservation. The Foundation was formed as a society in 1991, and its first Board of Directors was comprised of the Mayor and Vancouver City Council. It has applied for a charitable tax number.
It is currently involved in set-up functions, including the hiring of a part-time Executive Director. The Foundation hopes to be able to fund the acquisition and restoration of heritage properties.
"The Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund was established in 1987 with the assistance of an unusual alliance of housing and environmental groups. This innovative program was crafted to deal with the adverse effects of rapidly escalating land prices on both environmental quality and housing affordability.
Like the California Coastal Conservancy, this program created a small but powerful new entity — the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board — with broad powers to act quickly, flexibly, and nonbureaucratically. ...
The alliance of housing and land conservation interests has served as a model for other states, although Vermont remains unique in the steadfastness of the coalition and the single board alllocating grants for the program's dual objectives." 298
200 - 7 Hinton Avenue North
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Y 4P1
Phone: (613) 722-2090 Fax: (613) 722-3318
Working with partners in projects across Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada has launched innovative fundraising programs and sponsored vital landscape conservation programs in every province. It is a national, non-profit, charitable foundation dedicated to the conservation, restoration and enhancement of animal and plant habitat. To achieve this, Wildlife Habitat Canada provides funds for a variety of habitat projects with particular emphasis on wetlands and the integration of wildlife needs with economic activity across the landscapes, while promoting cooperation among wildlife groups. Since its inception in 1984, Wildlife Habitat Canada has committed more than $20 million to over ten habitat conservation initiatives with a total value of more than $230 million. Wildlife Habitat Canada is a contributing member to the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program.
295. Phyllis Myers, Lessons from the States: Strengthening Land Conservation Programs through Grants to Nonprofit Land Trusts (Washington, D.C.: Land Trust Alliance, 1992) at x.
296. Ibid. at xii.
297. Ibid. at xi.
298. Ibid. at xi.
