Our Purpose
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is your independent, non-government community resource organization for land and water protection. It protects land and water within Haliburton by:
- Encouraging broad community engagement and understanding through education and outreach
- Encouraging and supporting private land stewardship initiatives which contribute to land and water protection
- Acquiring and/or managing land parcels representative of the Haliburton natural landscape and historic/cultural heritage
Our Goals
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust will work to conserve the plants, wildlife and clean water of Haliburton County to ensure a legacy of forests, fields and wetlands, and the species they nurture. The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust will do this by:
- Identifying significant lands and waters of natural or cultural value
- Working cooperatively with individuals, groups and governments to identify, manage and/or research areas of interest
- Acquiring ecologically significant properties
- Supporting stewardship planning for privately owned natural areas
- Encouraging private and government sectors to set aside significant natural areas
Our Vision
The Land Trust believes that all our lives are improved by the presence of a healthy natural environment. We believe it is our duty to protect our natural and cultural heritage for future generations to come.
There is significant economic value to a vibrant natural environment. Protecting our lands and waters also helps build resilience to climate change, while safeguarding biodiversity.
The Land Trust believes that a healthy natural environment has social and cultural value. People are happier and healthier when they can enjoy clean water, natural beauty and outdoor spaces.
We believe we can work in partnership with the Haliburton Highlands’ residents, businesses and government to create an outcome that works for everybody. We are working to make sure Haliburton County’s property owners, businesses and governments consider Haliburton’s natural and cultural heritage in their decision-making processes.
We believe in the importance of education in ensuring our natural and cultural heritage is protected.
To learn more, please watch the video Voices of the Land Trust, recorded by previous board members in 2012.
Our History
Land trusts are non-profit, charitable organizations which have as their core activities the acquisition of land for the purpose of conservation. There are over 30 land trusts in Ontario.
After an open forum for interest in 2003, the first board of the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust formed with 7 individuals in 2004. The Land Trust was incorporated on March 23, 2005, registered as a charitable organization on May 26, 2005, and on October 13, 2005, was approved as a potential recipient of gifts under the Ecological Gifts Program of Environment Canada.
The Land Trust is primarily interested in acquiring lands of ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. It works to select only those properties which clearly have long-term benefit to the public and can be maintained by the Land Trust in perpetuity. For more information on donating land, please click here:
Founding Members
The Land Trust has 9 founding members. It was these individuals who first had faith in the Land Trust concept and the founding Board of Directors. Their financial contributions and belief in the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust were tremendously important. We acknowledge and thank our founding members.
- Jeanne Anthon
- Margery Cartwright
- Ian Daniel
- Blair & Catherine Johnston
- Shirley McCormick
- Ryan & Kerstin McCutcheon
- James & Linda McIntosh
- Brent Wootton
- Sheila Ziman
Land Acknowledgment
Haliburton County is situated on the Anishinaabe lands covered by Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations.
This territory is protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples to share and safeguard this land in the spirit of peace, friendship, and respect.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come. We are grateful for their wisdom and leadership and are mindful of broken covenants and the need to learn, heal and reconcile with all our relations. We are committed to caring for this land and each other, in peace and friendship, for the sake of generations to come.