Preserving Natural Shorelines and Wild Areas

The blue-green algal blooms in Kahshe Lake over the last couple of years have reinforced the

need to keep as much shoreline as possible in its natural state and to maintain natural wetlands.

If you own a large lot, a lot with a wetland area, and/or extensive natural shoreline, the Muskoka Conservancy may be able to help you to preserve the property that you love for future generations and to give you a tax break at the same time.

One of the options is to donate land to the Muskoka Conservancy. Another less drastic option is to donate a conservation easement agreement, whereby you maintain ownership of the land but agree to limit the development on a portion of your land.

What are the tax benefits of donating land or a conservation easement?

The Ecological Gifts Program allows donors of qualifying land or conservation easements to receive significant tax benefits:

• A charitable receipt for the full market value of the qualified land can be applied against an individual’s net annual taxable income.
• 10 years to apply the receipt to income
• No tax on capital gains for capital gifts
• No limit on total value eligible for deduction/credit in any one-year

We look for properties that are at least 50 acres, or at least 10 acres if adjacent to a protected area, such as a Conservation Reserve. In addition, if your property has at least 600 feet of shoreline, or has a wetland area, we would be interested in looking at it. 

Each property and owner is unique but if you have any interest in learning more about the options for preserving your property, please contact Allyn Abbott at allyn.abbott@sympatico.ca or the Muskoka Conservancy office at info@muskokaconservancy.org.