Programs for landowners

Tree Planting and Habitat Restoration Services

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC)

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Forestry Services helps landowners who need assistance with their trees and forests.

If you own property in the Credit Valley, CVC staff can:

• Assess your eligibility to participate in CVC's tree planting programs.
• Provide you with forestry and forest management expertise.
• Conduct site visits to your property.

If you have open land on your property and are interested in converting it to forest with bare root seedlings, consider participating in CVC's Full-Service Tree and Shrub Planting Services. Those who are eligible can save about 100% on their planting project.

To qualify for the program, landowners must own at least 2 acres of land and meet specific eligibility requirements.

For more information:

• Call 905-670-1615 (toll free 1-800-668-5557).
• Visit Credit Valley Conservation Area tree planting.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Private Land Tree Planting Program helps private landowners by offering technical and financial support to restore and improve your property through the planting of native trees, shrubs, and seedlings.

With more than 50 years of planting and forest management experience, professionally trained staff provide planting services and hardy native plant materials, many of which are carefully grown in TRCA's nursery from locally collected seed in order to promote ecosystem regeneration. TRCA's programs offer up to 90% funding for eligible projects and provide full planting services.

For more information:

• Email the TRCA.
• Call 416-661-6600 x 5649.
• Visit the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

Tax incentives

Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)

The Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) is a voluntary program that can save landowners 75% of property taxes on eligible portions of their property.

This provincial program recognizes the importance of privately owned forests and the benefits they provide to all Ontarians.

To qualify, a property must:

• Have at least 4 hectares (9.88 acres) of forest, which may include newly planted areas.
• Be at least 50% Canadian–owned.
• Have an approved Managed Forest Plan following good forestry practices.

New program applications must be submitted by June 30 to enter the program in the following calendar year. For complete program eligibility and application requirements visit the MFTIP website.

For more information:

• Call 1-855-86-MFTIP (1-855-866-3847).
• Email MFTIP.
• Visit Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP)

Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MFTIP) offers a property tax incentive program for landowners whose properties contain provincially significant natural heritage features or areas.

The Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program recognizes, encourages, and supports the long-term private stewardship of Ontario's provincially important natural areas.

Under the program, portions of a property that have eligible natural heritage features may qualify for a 100% property tax exemption.

The area must be:

• Identified by the MFTIP as one of the eligible land types listed in the "What is eligible" section.
• 1/5 of a hectare (1/2 acre) or larger in size.

A property owner must also:

• Commit to protecting the designated portion of the property.
• Allow Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry staff to inspect the property, if requested.

The natural heritage features eligible types of land include:

• Provincially significant areas of natural and scientific interest (lands with significant geological and biological features) that have been approved by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry as provincially significant.
• Niagara Escarpment Natural Areas within the designation "Escarpment Natural Area" in the Niagara Escarpment Plan.
• Habitats of endangered species, where specific guidelines for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program have been developed by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.
• Provincially significant wetlands approved by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry as provincially significant.
• Community Conservation Lands (restricted to non-profit charitable conservation organizations and conservation authorities).

To apply, call 1-800-268-8959 or email the MFTIP.

Have your 15-digit property assessment roll number ready or include it in your email.

Ecological Gifts Program

Environment and Climate Change Canada offers an income tax incentive program for landowners who wish to donate their land or a conservation easement to a conservation body. The Ecological Gifts Program enables owners of property with sensitive natural features to conserve their land"s biodiversity and environmental heritage in perpetuity.

Each donation of land or a partial interest in land must be certified as ecologically sensitive according to specific national and provincial criteria before it can be included under the Ecological Gifts Program. This certification is carried out by the federal Minister of the Environment or a delegated authority. Delegated authorities range from provincial governments to environmental charities. In many scenarios, the landowner can continue to hold title and/or live on the land.

For more information, email enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca or call Environment and Climate Change Canada at call 1-800-668-6767.

Linking conservation choices with financial benefits

There are many ways to link conservation choices with financial benefits.

Donation

Gifts of land will remain in public or private trust and be protected forever.

The simplest option is to donate land to a conservation organization. Most organizations are pleased to provide appropriate recognition of a gift through naming, signage, or by other means in accordance with the landowner's wishes.

Life Interest

Even if they reside on the land, or still wish to use it in some way, landowners may donate property and keep a life interest while the conservation organization serves as stewards.

This agreement is for the lifetime of the donor or a specified term.

Partial-taking

Part of a property can be severed and donated for conservation purposes.

This option appeals to landowners because it establishes a nature preserve around the home. The preserve will be professionally managed and protected in perpetuity.

Bequest

Landowners can name a conservation organization as a primary or secondary beneficiary in a will.

Most partners will be happy to help with drafting terminology suitable to meet the needs of everyone involved.

Conservation easement

A conservation easement is a legal agreement where a landowner voluntarily restricts activities on the property or over a designated protected area.

The agreement runs on title. It is also tailored to fit a landowner's particular interests and the natural features to be protected so that all future owners are bound by specified restrictions.

A conservation easement provides the flexibility for a landowner to retain ownership and use of the land while protecting specific natural features.

A landowner should discuss any options that are of interest with family members, a lawyer, and an accountant or financial advisor (or both).

Peel Rural Water Quality Program

Peel Region, in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and the Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), offers the Peel Rural Water Quality Program (PRWQP) to support agricultural landowners in achieving their agri-environmental goals.

The program provides technical and financial resources to qualified agricultural landowners to implement a range of stewardship projects and practices.

ALUS Peel Pilot Program

The ALUS Peel Pilot Program builds on the Peel Rural Water Quality Program (PRWQP), offering farmers additional support for the ongoing efforts in caring for the natural areas of their properties, and recognizing the important environmental benefits provided to surrounding communities.

For more details on these programs:

• Visit Peel Rural Water Quality Program
• Email PAAWG
• Call 905-791-7800 ext. 7854 (toll free 1-888-919-7800 ext. 7854)

Landowner Outreach Initiative

The Landowner Outreach Initiative aims to increase greenlands securement activity in strategically targeted areas of Peel through landowner education, land donations, and conservation easements.

Focusing on landowner education, land donations, and conservation easements demonstrates an effective and affordable way to develop a strategic approach to secure greenlands within Peel Region.

To achieve this goal, Peel Region hires as a part-time and independent landowner outreach co-ordinator to work at arm's length of the Region and its partners and to:

• Work closely with staff from Peel Region, CVC, TRCA, the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga, the Town of Caledon, Bruce Trail Conservancy, and Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to establish priority needs and co-ordinate efforts.
• Engage, inform, and work with landowners and community groups on greenlands securement initiatives, such as stewardship and acquisition through land donations and easements.
• Initiate potential land donation or conservation easement projects and bring them to the attention of Regional employees and partners for discussion and further direction.

The landowner outreach co-ordinator is currently contacting landowners throughout Peel whose properties contain key natural heritage features, areas, and values.

The coordinator is offering landowners information on how they can participate in greenlands securement efforts, some of which offer tax benefits.

Deciding how to protect the natural features of land is unique and personal.

Some landowners want to protect the natural heritage values of their land for future generations. Some may see conservation as a way to resolve property or potential income tax challenges, while others may view it as a way to sort out future uses of a property now shared by members of an expanding family or community group.

To learn more about how you can leave a permanent natural heritage legacy through acquisition tools such as a land donation or conservation easements, contact your watershed conservation authority.

Credit Valley Conservation
Joana Marques, 905-670-1615 ext. 534 (toll-free 1-800-668-5557)

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Brandon Hester, 416-661-6600 ext. 5767

City of Mississauga
Jane Darragh, 905-615-3200 ext. 4946

City of Brampton
Jake Mete, 416-806-5529

Town of Caledon:
Kyle Munro, 905-584-2272 ext. 4247

If you live on the Oak Ridges Moraine, contact the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to learn about permanently protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust
Susan Walmer, 905-853-3171 ext. 32

If you live on the Niagara Escarpment, you can contact the Bruce Trail Conservancy to learn about permanently protecting a conservation corridor, which will include the Bruce Trail.

Bruce Trail Conservancy
Antoin Diamond, 905- 529-6821 (toll-free 1-800-665-HIKE (4453)

For more information about the Peel Region Greenlands Securement Program, contact Heather Hewitt, 905-791-7800 ext. 4083