CANADIAN LAND TRUST CONFERENCE 2007 - CONFERENCE DE L'ALLIANCE DES ORGANISMES DES CONSERVATION DU CANADA
National Conference Centre, Ottawa, ON

The 2007 Canadian Land Trust Conference was held in Ottawa from October 18-20. List of Attendees at Canadian Land Trust Conference 2007

Conference Season

October 2008

Dear OLTA Supporter,

For those that were able to join us, you'll know that the Canadian Land Trust Conference was a great success.  Excellent workshops, a stunning venue, and great attendance - over 60 delegates from outside of Ontario!  

And of course we've already started planning for next year's Ontario Gathering - we'll partner with Carolinian Canada and the event will take place at the Spencer-Ivey Conference Centre in London, October 24-26, 2008. Save the Date!

But conference season is not finished for this year - read on to learn about the Latornell conference this week, about new property campaigns launched  by Long Point Basin and Algoma Conservancy; and lots more news for Ontario land conservation organizations.

LOCAL CAMPAIGNS

Local Campaigns is a new feature column of OLTA E-news. Please send us your news! info@ontariolandtrustalliance.org

Long Point Basin Land Trust Launches Arthur Langford Campaign

(Port Rowan, Ontario) The Long Point Basin Land Trust is raising funds to purchase and protect a 180-acre property near Houghton in western Norfolk County. The property will be named in honour of the late Dr. Arthur N. Langford of Simcoe, founding president of the Land Trust. Donate now general@lpblt.on.ca

Algoma Highlands Conservancy must raise $1.5 million to secure the King Mountain property, 3,000 acres for conservation, silent sport recreation and outdoor education - in perpetuity.

Please give or pledge now to info@algomahighlandsconservancy.org

Ontario Land Trust Alliance

Board of Governors 2007-2008

Wendy Cooper, New Governor

Dann Michols, New Governor

Duncan Jones, New Governor

April Weppler (nee Mathes), Chair

Lisa McLaughlin, Vice-Chair

Bill Salter, Treasurer

Chris Baines  Past Chair

Wally King

Lionel Normand

Joanne Rzadki

Katie Goldberg-Zwick

Please invite OLTA to send a Governor to attend your local Land Trust Annual General Meeting - we look forward to getting to know you better!

OLTA's annual report and audited financial statements along with the full bios and contact details for your Governors will be posted on the OLTA website, soon.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy

Conservation leaders celebrate 40^th Anniversary of The Bruce Trail with a new name

October 31, 2007

HAMILTON - Coinciding with the Bruce Trail's 40^th anniversary year, The Bruce Trail Association will move forward as The Bruce Trail Conservancy. 

From its modest start as The Bruce Trail Association in 1963, followed by the opening of the Bruce Trail in 1967, the organization has grown to be one of the largest land trusts of its kind in Canada and a highly respected conservation leader. The name change to The Bruce Trail Conservancy better reflects the true scope of the charitable organization's commitment to preserving a conservation corridor along the Niagara Escarpment.

From Carters Professional Corporation

Charity Law Update - September 2007

Charity Law Update - October 2007

September issue:

What is the Disbursement Quota? ("DQ")

A prescribed amount that registered charities must disburse each year in order to maintain their charitable registration.  The purpose of DQ is to ensure charities use charitable funds on charitable activities and to discourage spending excessive amounts on fundraising and/or from accumulating excessive funds.

a) The 4.5% disbursement quota is reduced to 3.5%. Every charity must spend at least 3.5% of investment assets on charitable activities every year.

b) The 80% disbursement quota means every charity must spend 80 cents of every receipted gift dollar on charitable activites every year. The 80% DQ is now extended to inter-charity transfers to charitable organizations but can be delayed through utilizing "enduring property", including ten year gifts.

October Issue:

Draft Technical Amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) to Implement the Remaining Tax Measures Contained in the 2007 Federal Budget

by Theresa L.M. Man.

On October 2, 2007, the long-awaited technical amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) to implement the remaining tax measures contained in the March 19, 2007 federal budget was released. These proposed changes include elimination of capital gains tax on publicly-listed securities donated to private foundations, new excess business holding rules that limit the shareholdings of private foundations, and a special deduction for corporations that make donations of medicines from their inventory to registered charities that have received a disbursement under a program of the Canadian International Development Agency in respect of activities of the charity outside of Canada. The legislative proposal is available on the Department of Finance's website at

http://www.fin.gc.ca/drleg/BIA207_e.html.

Wildlife Habitat Canada - Stamp Program

As the main source of funding for Wildlife Habitat Canada's grant program is derived from the revenues associated with the stamp (which is primarily purchased by waterfowl hunters to validate their Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits), changes to the stamp program will have a significant impact on WHC and its future. 

Visit Environment Canada's (EC's) consultation process on the future of the stamp program and the management of the habitat conservation revenues coontinues. A summary of the responses received is posted on WHC's What's New web page.

Funding Deadlines

NOVEMBER 30, 2007 Ontario Trillium Foundation - Future Fund Call For Proposals

DECEMBER 7, 2008 Environment Canada - Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP), HSP Guidelines

Environment Canada - Aboriginal Funds for Species At Risk, AFSAR Guidelines

DECEMBER 15, 2008 OLTA and MNR Ontario Land Trust Assistance Program, OLTAP Guidelines and Application

JANUARY 14, 2008 Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program is January 14th, 2008, IASPP Guidelines and Application

Ontario-U.S.A. Border Land Trusts

Open Space Institute
Deadline: always open

The Open Space Institute (OSI) protects scenic, recreational, historical and working landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats, and sustain community character. OSI's New York Land Protection Program provides grants for land acquisition in the State of New York while OSI's Conservation Finance Program offers low-cost bridge loans and grants for land protection in selected landscapes across the East Coast. OSI's Conservation Institute works in partnership with conservation practitioners, funders and policy-makers to conduct, synthesize and disseminate research on important land conservation issues.

$6 Million Available in Great Lakes
Deadline: Always open

Land trusts and public agencies in the eight-state Great Lakes basin can apply to The Conservation Fund for interim funding to purchase land or conservation easements to protect coastal and freshwater sites of high ecological significance. Application forms are available from Michael Kelly, Great Lakes Office, The Conservation Fund, PO Box 734, Bay City, MI 48707, 989-892-9171, fax: 989-892-9172, kellym@conservationfund.org.

Species at Risk Campaign - OLTA to coordinate local members increasing awareness of local SAR

OLTA has received funding from the new Species at Risk (SAR) Fund of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to implement a SAR campaign. The largely web-based project will raise the awareness of SAR in local communities and connect landowners with SAR habitats on their properties and educate them about why it is important to take action in preserving these species and conserving their habitats. Watch for more news from OLTA on this exciting new initiative soon.

Canada's Biodiversity Loss

IUCN Survey

The Canada Office of IUCN, on behalf of the Canadian Committee of IUCN, is undertaking a user needs survey in relation to the 2010 Biodiversity Challenge.  The survey seeks to understand the availability, accessibility and usability of such information.  Set out below, for your information, is a link to the questionnaire.    A more fulsome explanation of the context of the initiative is in the introductory part of the questionnaire. Take The Survey Now!

The overall objective of the project is to showcase Canadian progress towards reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.  The intent is to identify key characteristics of the electronic information platform to be developed to satisfy the needs of information providers and information users and to better understand the accessibility of the appropriate information. 

The Learning Center: Live Online

Do you have questions about a Standards and Practices Curriculum course? Experts Brenda Lind and Marc Smiley are online, ready and willing to answer questions posted to The Learning Center's discussion forums. Brenda will be online every Monday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm (ET) on the Stewardship, Land Protection, and Other Trails forums. Marc is available every Monday, 8:30 to 9:30 am (PT) on the Governance, Strong Organizations and Other Trails forums. If those times don't work for you, simply post your questions on the forum. E-mail us at learn@lta.org with questions or comments

The LTA website is all open to the public -- it is their LTAnet a separate website that has resources relevant to land trusts. OLTA members, please contact info@ontariolandtrustalliance.org to obtain the password for LTAnet.

In This Issue

OLTA New Board of Governors

The Bruce Trail Conservancy

WHC Stamp in jeopardy

IUCN Canada''s Biodiversity

Standards and Practices Help

Canadian Land Trust Conference

Ottawa, October 18-20

Workshop handouts and presentations from each session are available to download until November 30, 2007. After November 30th, presentations will be available to members of the CLTA/ADOCC through the members' only section of the CLTA/ADOCC website.

Title of Presentation	Presenter(s)	Stream
Pre-conference -Developing Fundraising Strategies that Will Work for Your Organization - Presentation - Presentation Handout	Marc Smiley	Pre-conference
Pre-conference - Building the Board Your Deserve - Presentation	Marc Smiley	Pre-conference
1A - Creating an Effective Strategic Plan - Presentation	Marc Smiley	Organizational Development
1B - Funder Forum - Securement, Stewardship & Organizational Capacity Presentation - Martin Presentation - Doherty	Nuala Doherty, Robert Alain, Betsy Martin	Fundraising and Communications
1C - Determining the Ecological Significance of Your Site - Presentation	Lionel Normand, Cathy Conrad	Land Transactions and Stewardship
1D - From the United Nations and National Parks to the Local Land Trust - Where Do You Fit In? Presentation - Pratt Presentation - Leggo	Rick Pratt, Graham Bryan, Jeff Leggo	Landscape Planning & Effective Partnering
1E - Financial Accounting and Budgeting - As a Director What Are Your Responsibilities - Presentation	Brian Watson	Financial and Legal Issues
2A - Board vs. Committees - Roles and Responsibilities - Presentation	Marc Smiley	Organizational Development
2B - Government Support Programs for Land Trusts Across the Country Presentation - Nicol Presentation - Paris Presentation - Simard	Julie Simard, Bruno Paris, Avelyn Nicol	Fundraising and Communications
2C - Drafting Conservation Easements - Presentation	Bill Turner, Lisa McLaughlin	Land Transactions and Stewardship
2D - Mapping Our Natural Heritage: A Vision for Muskoka - Presentation	Cathy Kuntz, Phung Tran	Landscape Planning & Effective Partnering
2E - Assessing Your Organization's Risk - Directors' & Officers' Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance - Presentation - Presentation Handout	Gary Goodwin	Financial and Legal Issues
3A - We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This: Making Board Meetings More Effective, More Efficient, & More... - Presentation	Nathan Garber	Organizational Development
3B - Creating a Fundraising Plan - Presentation	Marc Smiley	Fundraising and Communications
3C - Getting Your Baseline Documentation Report Right the First Time! - Presentation	Lisa McLaughlin, Heather Hewitt, Paul Peterson	Land Transactions and Stewardship
3D - Successful Partnerships with Federal Programs and Land Trusts Presentation - Walker Presentation - Moore	Dave Walker, Mike Moore, Bryn White	Landscape Planning & Effective Partnering
3E - Recent Tax Changes and How They Affect Your Land Trust - Presentation	Karen Cooper	Financial and Legal Issues
4A - Presentations (l) What Makes a Good Record Keeping Policy? (2) Registered Charities Newsletter No. 26	MaryKay O'Donnell, Karen Cooper	Organizational Development
4B - Growing Your Gift Planning Program with the Green Legacies Project Presentation	John Coo	Fundraising and Communications
4C - Fee Simple Stewardship: A to Z Presentation Presentation Handout	Tim Clermont	Land Transactions and Stewardship
4D - Provincial and Municipal Land-Use Planning Presentation	Tasha Sargent	Landscape Planning & Effective Partnering
4E - Tax Incentives, Risk Management and the Conservation of Ecologically Sensitive Lands Presentation	Andrea Kettle, Dawn Laing, Jeremy Collins	Financial and Legal Issues
5A - Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Running an Ethical Land Trust Presentation	Konrad Liegel, Karen Cooper	Organizational Development
5B - Communications and Marketing on a Shoestring Budget Presentation	David Love	Fundraising and Communications
5C - Working Landscapes - Farms and Forests Presentation	Pieter van Loon	Land Transactions and Stewardship
5D - Establishing a Land Selection Criteria for Your Land Trust Presentation	Ron Reid	Landscape Planning & Effective Partnering
5E - Appraising Real Estate (not available at this time) Handout - Engaging an Appraiser Handout - Guidelines for Appraisals	Jack Miller	Financial and Legal Issues
6A - Organization Assessment - How Will They Help Your Organization? Presentation	Kathy Allan, Dann Michols	Organizational Development
6B - Making Your Organization Sustainable - Success Stories Presentation	Bill Turner, Wendy Cooper	Fundraising and Communications
6C - Changes in Use - Easement Amendments and Releases Presentation Conservation Land Act Presentation	Julie Simard, Andrea Kettle	Land Transactions and Stewardship
6D - Examples of Effective Partnerships at the Local Level - Presentation - Stabb Presentation - Sheppard Presentation - Stabb Handout	Margo Sheppard, Mark Stabb	Landscape Planning & Effective Partnering
6E - Mineral Rights and Land Trusts Presentation Presentation Handout	Justin Connidis, Marilyn Crawford	Financial and Legal Issues

Quick Links

OLTA Newsletter Archive

Upcoming Events

The Thames Talbot Land Trust is pleased to present an illustrated talk by noted author Lorraine Johnson to take place on Friday, November 2, 2007 in the Wolf Performance Hall of the London Central Library. Free Admission. To reserve a display table please respond to thamestalbot@ttlt.ca or call 519-858-3442.

14th Annual Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner being held at the Pearson Convention Centre, located at 2638 Steeles Avenue, Brampton, Ontario, L6T 4L7 on Wednesday, November 7th, 2007.Our keynote Speaker will be Robert Kennedy, Jr.   All proceeds from this year's dinner will go towards the protection of environmentally sensitive lands within our LivingCity region, including the Oak Ridges Moraine.  Tickets are only $150.00 each with tax receipts being issued in the amount of $95.00 per dinner ticket .  Reservations may be made by calling 416-661-6600, ext. 5276.

TORC Energy Forum 2007 Renewable Energy: Exploring Ownership Options for Farmers, Rural Landowners and Rural Communities Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - Stratford. Register Online Today: www.torc.on.cam

14th Annual A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium, Your Watersheds Our Great Lakes
Wednesday, November 14 - Friday, November 17, 2007. For REGISTRATION inquiries, contact:

Teresa Cole, Conference Registrar Phone: (705) 424-0297 Email: latornell@conservation-ontario.on.ca

Stephen Lewis Tomorrow's Past Matters: Investing in Heritage and Enriching Democracy Presented by the Ontario Heritage Trust Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. Reception to follow. Winter Garden Theatre189 Yonge Street, TorontoTickets $30, plus applicable fees and taxes. Order through Ticketmaster at 416-872-5555 or www.ticketmaster.ca. Proceeds to the Lincoln M. Alexander Legacy Fund in support of heritage conservation.

TORC Local Food Forum 2007 From the Earth's Floor to the Retail Store:Capturing Local Food Opportunities Tuesday, December 4th in Port Perry and Thursday, December 6 in Milton

Finally, special congratulations to Paul Bubelis and the Sustainability Network (www.sustain.web.ca). They celebrated their tenth anniversary in style yesterday with a special reception at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, with an entertaining and insightful panel of eco-thinkers: Gill Deacon, Bob Rae, Sarah Harmer, Geoff Cape and David Crombie.  Great food, and great company as well
.

Jobs and People on the Move

The Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) www.gblt.org is hiring a Program Assistant. A one year contract position located in Toronto with anticipated start date is January 28, 2008.

The Program Assistant will work closely with the Executive Director and other staff in supporting each of the four program areas, Land Protection, Stewardship, Communications, and Fundraising. This position is an opportunity to join a successful, community-based non-profit and support the ambitious strategic goals, including increasing the number of acres protected from 400 to 2,000 by 2010. Please forward your résumé in confidence to info@gblt.org

by November 26, 2007.

Sustainable Prosperity Seeking Director for major Environment-Economy initiative

Sustainable Prosperity is an exciting new policy change and research initiative aimed at transforming Canada to greener, healthier economy, by making markets work for the environment. Coordinated out of the University of Ottawa, and directed by some of Canada's top economic, environmental, research and business leaders, Sustainable Prosperity is seeking a dynamic, experienced Director to lead the organization. Please send you c.v. and cover letter by November 6 to Stewart Elgie, Chair, at selgie@uottawa.ca.

Eric Boysen, New Director for the Great Lakes B

ranch within the Natural Resource Management Division recently announced by Kevin J. Wilson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Natural Resource Management Division. Eric Boysen is currently the acting Director of the Lands and Waters Branch. Eric will be overlapping with the retiring director, Alec Denys, to ensure a smooth transition in leadership for the Branch.

OLTA Land Trust Member Survey and NEW OLTA Website

Thank-you members who have completed and returned the 2007 Member Survey. We are updating the OLTA website in the next few months and building a new member map and a new member section. Content on the OLTA website site depends on you! OLTA does not share or post any information without your explicit consent.

Please do let us know what kind of information you want to see on your new provincial alliance website!

Email us at info@ontariolandtrustalliance.org

OLTA Contact Information

Kathy Allan & Victor Reyes
P.O. Box 97026 RPO Roncesvalles

Toronto, Ontario M6R 3B3

T: 416-588-6582 F: 416-588-6588

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