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Conservation Easements
Southern Alberta Land Trust Society
Photo: SALTS
Program Summary
The Southern Alberta Land Trust Society will compensate landowners for the grant of a conservation easement. A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified organization wherein the landowner relinquishes certain land use rights and opportunities in favour of the property's conservation values. Landowners are fully compensated for the fair market value of the easement via a cash payment, tax receipt, or a combination.
Program characteristics
Province
Alberta
Natural Features
Wildlife Habitat, Riparian Areas, Species-at-risk Habitat, Forest / Treed, Grasslands
Agriculture Type
Rangeland / Pasture
Program Scope
Regional/Local
Conservation Approach
Protection
Incentive Type
Payment for Practices / Conservation / Credits, Tax Relief
Delivery Agent Type
NGO
Commitment Type
Land Conservation / Protection
Commitment Term
Perpetual
Program web site
Conservation Goals
This program is focused on providing perpetual protections to biodiversity habitat.
Eligible Lands
SALTS’ focus is to protect private land of high ecological value in Southern Alberta.
Additional Details
The conservation easement can be applied to all or only a portion of the property without requiring subdivision.
A conservation easement agreement has a list of specific land use restrictions; outside of these, the landowner is free to use the property as they see fit.
The conservation easement is registered on the title of the property.
Landowners have no restrictions on their ability to sell, gift, Will or otherwise dispose of their property.
Each conservation easement begins with a template, but the final agreement is based on negotiations between the landowner and the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society.
Commitment
The landowner signs a perpetual agreement committing to the land use and management restrictions identified in the conservation easement agreement. The agreement is registered on title and runs with the land regardless of owner.
Incentive
The landowner is fully compensated for the fair market value of the conservation easement, either with cash, a charitable tax receipt, or a combination of the two. The fair market value is determined by a qualified appraiser.
Contact Information
Landowners wanted to learn more about granting a conservation easement to the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society can fill out their contact form at https://salts.land/contact or call their office at 403-652-9998.
Important to Know
As well as providing a charitable tax receipt, the donation of a conservation easement may also be eligible for certification as a Gift of Ecologically Sensitive Property by the federal government, in which case the capital gains accrued and payable on the easement property are forgiven.
Changes to the conservation easement agreement can be made based on the mutual agreement of the landowner and the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society, so long as these do not impair the ability to maintain the conservation values of the property.
If the donation of a conservation easement is certified as a Gift of Ecologically Sensitive Property, no changes in the agreement of land use can take place without the approval of the federal government.
Conservation easements on agricultural land can be written to maintain both the natural values and the viability of the agricultural operation. Compatible activities such as grazing and haying can continue.
Conservation Easements do not allow public access without the landowner's consent.