The Couchiching Conservancy works with private landowners to secure ecologically significant lands that we have identified as priorities for conservation in our Natural Heritage Action Plan.
The Conservancy acquires land through:
Outright purchase: Couchiching Conservancy purchases a piece of land outright from a private landowner (corporate or individual).
Land donation: Couchiching Conservancy receives a donation of land from a private landowner (corporate or individual).
Conservation agreement: Couchiching Conservancy enters into a legal agreement in which a landowner agrees to restrict activities that would threaten the ecological value of the land. The land remains in the ownership and control of the landowner.
There are significant tax advantages through the federal Ecological Gifts Program for those who donate land or conservation easement agreements. In all securement projects involving an interest in the ownership of the property (including conservation easements), the owners involved will be advised by the Conservancy to seek independent legal and financial advice to ensure that their interests are protected.
