The HLTs primary focus is helping landowners permanently protect land from undesirable development to ensure that ecological values are maintained or enhanced.
About Us
The Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust is the HNC’s program to protect natural areas in Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding areas. The HLT is also active in restoring natural areas in the urban landscape.
The HNC, Ontario’s first land trust, has owned and managed natural lands since 1961. Scores of volunteers are involved in managing several nature sanctuaries, which encompass hundreds of acres. A substantial endowment fund provides resources to help protect these lands in perpetuity. The HNC has forged many successful community partnerships and has received numerous awards for it’s achievements.
Thinking One Hundred Years Ahead?
Have you ever imagined what our local landscape Conservation Options at the head of Lake Ontario will be like in one hundred years?
Will future generations have a healthy environment, clean air and water, and places to enjoy nature?
Will enough natural areas exist for native flora and fauna, or will dozens of species be lost?
Will our local landscape include a sustainable network of green spaces for people and nature – or just a few islands of green in a sea of development?
If you own land, or cherish a special place, what can you do to protect it forever?
The Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust (HLT) works with landowners and conservation partners in Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding areas to protect, enhance and restore lands for nature and for future generations. We can help you create a natural legacy that may also yield a substantial income tax benefit.
What is a Land Trust?
Land Trusts are conservation organizations that own land and/or hold interests in land, such as conservation easements, as part of their efforts to protect, enhance or restore natural areas, heritage features or agricultural lands. Land trusts work with landowners to take direct action in permanently protecting lands for conservation. Most land trusts are locally or regionally based with volunteer leadership and strong community links. The HNC became Ontario's first land trust in 1961, with the purchase of our Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary.
In 2005, Dundas resident Lorraine Stewart donated land in the Beverly Swamp to the HLT. The resulting Thomas & Mary Young Nature Sanctuary serves as a permanent memorial to Ms. Stewart's grandparents. It is managed to protect the provincially significant natural heritage values of the site. Ms. Stewart received a charitable donation receipt for the value of the land. Since the property is ecologically significant, the gift was eligible for preferred income tax treatment.
Conservation Options
Donation of land is just one option. The HLT works with landowners to find the best way to meet our mutual conservation goals and the landowner’s tax and estate planning needs. We can facilitate a variety of conservation options, including:
- Outright donation of all or part of a property.
- Donations of land with provisions for continued use by the donor.
- Sale at below market value with a charitable donation receipt for the difference between market value and the sale price (known as a split receipt).
- Donation of a conservation easement, to permanently protect natural features on all or part of a property, while maintaining private ownership.
- Bequests of land through one’s will to create a nature sanctuary.
- Gifts or bequests of cash or assets to purchase a nature sanctuary in someone’s name or as a memorial.
- Partnering with conservation minded individuals or organizations to jointly acquire lands to protect nature.
- Cash donations to support the acquisition and stewardship costs for new nature sanctuaries.
- In some cases, the HLT may consider purchase of high priority natural areas at market value.
Contact Us
To learn more or to talk to us about conservation options, please contact:
Jennifer Baker, HLT Program Coordinator
Telephone 905.524.3339
Email:
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