Articles
Making a Gift of Your Land
(Stephen Foster (M.A., M.L.S., Ph.D) is a professional geographer and social entrepreneur attempting to balance a personal and professional life in Toronto with a variety of volunteer engagements in the County of Haliburton. In the latter capacity, he is contributing to Environment Haliburton, the Coalition for Equitable Water Flow, the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust and the Loon Lake Property Owners’ Association.)
Photo: Lyn Winans
The process of donating property to a Land Trust may seem complicated and time-consuming, but a Trust is willing and able to help smooth out most of the wrinkles in the transaction.
As in any property transfer, the donor should have his own team of professionals, but the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust knows its way through the regulatory maze associated with a land donation.
Donors may be motivated by the desire to save a treasured piece of landscape in perpetuity, but there are significant tax advantages to go with that good feeling if the transaction is carried out properly.
Here is a formal, detailed explanation of the steps involved in making a gift of land to a Trust:
Background
The landscape of Haliburton County differs markedly from that of Southern Ontario in that it is far less subject to the widespread clearing of land that results in habitat fragmentation. Less fragmentation translates into viable wildlife movement corridors and the preservation of plant and animal biodiversity.
It is in the interest of conserving the character and quality of the landscape for generations to come that owners of property in the County, either individuals or corporations, may decide to donate their land to a reputable agency such as a Land Trust. It is up to the recipient to decide if the land meets its criteria for acceptance. This may be done while the donor is alive or as a bequest upon death.
A recipient can help prospective donors complete essential steps so that the transaction can proceed smoothly and come to a successful conclusion with a minimum of delay.
Land Trusts are particularly adept at handling land donations because they are members of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and have access to their resources. Furthermore, Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) has agreed to operate in conformity with the Standards and Practices of the Canadian Land Trust Alliance.
Last Updated: May 23 2009 2:38:41 am.
Photo: Lyn Winans
Did You Know...
As of August 2009, 7 new species that have been identified in Haliburton County have been added to the Ontario government's Species at Risk list. Chimney Swift and Whip-poor-will are now listed as Threatened. Snapping Turtle, Common Nighthawk, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Canada Warbler and Bald Eagle are listed as Special Concern. Read the full article.
