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April 19, 2012

EALT Spring News Roundup – We’re Proud of our Achievements!

The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is always busy, even throughout the winter season, as our latest short news summary describes. We summarise a number of accomplishments and updates, including:

  • the exciting news that EALT is a finalist in the 2012 Emerald Awards
  • our receipt of a grant from ASRPWF, the Alberta Sport Recreation, Parks and Wildlife
  • Foundation, to go towards our Ministik property
  • the beginnings of donations from the Development Community, in particular Brookfield Residential, and Melcor
  • Winter Wildlife Tracking at our Hicks property
  • EALT’s introduction and congratulations by Laurie Blakeman, in the Provincial Legislature
  • EALT publications: we have approved a Volunteer Orientation Manual, soon to go online, and have published our Annual Report for 2010-2011
  • Marg Reine, EALT’s Chair, was awarded the National Philanthropy Day Award for the Environment
  • Congratulations to our volunteers, who besides assisting in the field, help at outreach functions, such as the ALTA 10,000 Villages event, Seedy Sunday, and Canada Water Week event

You can read our April newsletter here.

For those who are interested in joining EALT as a volunteer, supporter, or in other ways, just contact us!

April 14, 2012

EALT is a Finalist for this Year’s Emerald Awards

EALT is delighted to announce that we’ve been selected as one of 3 finalists for the provincial Emerald Awards, in the Non-profit Association category, “for land securement and stewardship for preservation of valuable habitats”.

The Alberta Emerald Foundation celebrates and showcases environmental leadership in Alberta, setting an example of environmental excellence for all to follow.

We’d like to thank our nominees for the considerable thought and effort they put in to providing information about our important conservation work – we really like the idea that EALT is considered their “environmental hero”. We’d also like to thank the panel of Judges for their deliberations, and who consider our work exceptional; and of course, we’d like to thank all our volunteers, without whom our work couldn’t be accomplished.

To learn more about this year’s finalists, visit the Emerald Foundation. The final results will be announced June 6th, in Calgary.

March 29, 2012

Ecologically Valuable Lands for Sale in or near Edmonton?

Do you know of ecological lands for sale? As an Edmonton-based nature conservancy, EALT is interested in conserving lands in the City or nearby. Of course, this poses a challenge, as land is usually more expensive, the nearer the City it is located!

EALT is sometimes approached by an anonymous land donor (Eco-Donor), willing to buy ecological lands at Fair Market Value (FMV) in order to donate the lands to EALT (this is called an eco-gift skip transfer). We therefore try to build a short list of potential ecologically valuable lands, to be able to respond very fast to such an approach.

We would therefore encourage realtors or others, especially those who deal in lands which have a good portion of natural areas (which might include bush, wetlands, water features, forests) to contact us (780–483-7578).

Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program gives financial benefits to donors of ecologically sensitive lands (of 100% of the FMV), whether donations by individuals, businesses or corporations. The federal government has eliminated the tax on capital gains for all certified ecological gift donations, by reducing the inclusion rate to zero. This program is made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act amendments. The title to the property needs to be held by a qualified conservation organisation like EALT.

Environment Canada needs to certify such land as Ecologically Sensitive, as well as to certify the Fair Market Value of the gift. It should be noted that Inventory Lands are excluded. However, it should also be noted that having a residence or structure on the lands does not necessarily exclude them from consideration.

A summary of the steps involved in an Eco-gift skip transfer are:

  • Ecologically Significant land is identified (this is where realtors can be important)
  • The Eco-Donor enters into a contract or signs an “Offer to Purchase” with the landowner
  • The purchase is completed (i.e., the landowner receives the FMV price of the land, and EALT receives the title directly – the title ‘skips’ the Eco-Donor)
  • The Eco-Donor receives a charitable donation receipt from EALT, and 100% of this is able to offsets taxes
  • More information about the Ecological Gifts program and tax benefits of donation may be found here: http://www.ealt.ca/conservation-easements/#tax_ecological

Whether land is donated directly to the land trust by the owner, or whether the landowner sells the land to an Eco-Donor (who donates the land to EALT) realtors might wish to consider this option for lands with ecological value. We invite you to contact EALT’s Executive Director, Pam Wight, with any questions.

March 19, 2012

EALT Seeking to Hire a Project Coordinator

The Edmonton and Area Land Trust has been particularly successful its land securement activities, and now has around 1,600 acres to steward.

We are now looking for a Project Coordinator, whose principal responsibilities will be the assessment, monitoring and management of our properties, but in addition will include outreach and strategic activities.

Ideal candidates will have knowledge and experience in: boreal / parkland species identification; conservation biology; land use planning; stewarding; habitat restoration; mapping software; volunteer management; and project management.

The Project Coordinator will also contribute to the larger goals and objectives of EALT, including educational outreach and presentations, research, writing, and support for various organisational requirements.

We are seeking a mature individual with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage volunteers, but with the ability to call on the expertise of a range of EALT ED / Board / Advisors, where necessary.

The full job position can be found here.

This competition closes on 19th March.

Please send a cover letter and CV to:
Edmonton and Area Land Trust, 9910–103 Street, Edmonton, AB T5K 2V7
or
email to: pamwight <at> ealt.ca

March 19, 2012

Canada Water Week and a Shout-Out for EALT by Laurie Blakeman

This is Canada Water Week (March 19–25th)!

Most people are not aware that it is activities on the land that most impact our rivers and lakes, and that protecting natural areas is a great way to conserve our precious water resource.

One person who recognises the value of Land Trusts such as EALT, for their various benefits to the citizens of Alberta, is MLA for Edmonton-Centre, Laurie Blakeman. She provided a great shout-out to EALT for all its stewarding work at the Legislative Assembly, and suggested that everyone consider being involved through donations, volunteering, etc.

In this Canada Water Week, we invite you to:

Please raise your glass of water, give thanks, and act for conservation of this precious resource!

February 24, 2012

EALT Introduced in the Legislature

EALT was delighted to be invited to the Legislative Assembly on 23 February, by the MLA for Edmonton-Centre, Laurie Blakeman.

EALT staffer Pam Wight, Chair of the Board, Marg Reine, and Director Glen Thoman were welcomed, introduced to the House, and thanked for their work:




Subsequently, in her Member’s Statement, Ms Blakeman thanked EALT and other land trusts for their conservation and stewarding work on behalf of Albertans. She gave examples of the costs that accepting and stewarding lands involves, and pointed out that while there is support for donors of land, there is little to no support for recipients of donated land, which is being conserved for the benefit of the public. This truly is an issue of importance, and she suggested that government develop a stable funding source for land trusts:




In Question Period, Ms Blakeman then asked a series of questions related to land trusts and EALT, which were particularly directed at which ministries have responsibility for funding:

We were pleased to have the focus of members of the Legislative Assembly, and to have Ms Blakeman raise some pertinent issues and astute questions.

Thank you!

February 14, 2012

EALT’s 2010-2011 Annual Report Released

EALT is pleased to provide a report on our activities and accomplishments over the last year.

The Annual Report includes information on:

  • Our activities and accomplishments, including
    • Land securement activities, including: Ministik Property; the Glory Hills; the Golden Ranches; the Hicks property; and work with the City
    • Education and outreach, including: Biodiversity Week at City Hall; our Literary Connection; social media; newsletter; Alberta Ecotrust Filming EALT lands, and public outreach
  • Fundraising and outreach
    • Acknowledgements to our donors, volunteers, and supporters
    • Grants and awards
  • Financial highlights

For all who are interested in the broad range of EALT’s activities, this is for you.

And for those who are interested in joining us, on EALT’s Board, as an Advisor, or other type of supporter or volunteer, just contact us!

February 1, 2012

It’s World Wetlands Day 2010 on Feb 2nd

Every year on February 2nd it’s World Wetlands Day. This is the date the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971, in the Iranian City of Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea. Ever since then, all kinds of organisations, community groups and governments have raised public awareness of wetlands’ values and benefits.
water and wetlands image

Of course, we wouldn’t have wetlands if we didn’t conserve natural areas. EALT conserves wetlands in virtually all of its properties, and has been aiming to communicate their values. Our short pdf gives information on the many and values of our natural areas to Water and Wetlands.

Of the 37 Ramsar sites in Canada, Alberta has 3, including the Edmonton Region’s Beaverhill Lake, which was designated in 1987.

The theme for the 2012 World Wetlands Day is Wetlands and Tourism. This is appropriate, since tourism is one of the many services that wetlands deliver. Ensuring well-managed tourism practices in and around wetlands, and educating visitors on the value of wetlands contributes to their health and the long-term benefits provided to people, wildlife, economics and biodiversity.

water and wetlands cartoon www.ramsar.org

December 1, 2011

November EALT News Roundup, 2011

The Edmonton and Area Land Trust has been very busy in 2011, as our latest news summary describes.

In the short newsletter you’ll see information about:


  • Alberta Ecotrust making a film about EALT, and photos from the shoot

  • ‘Unravelling the Wire’, a volunteer day at the Hicks property, where old fencing was removed to make the property more wildlife friendly
  • Visits to properties whose owners wished to donate the land or an easement to EALT
  • Our work in the Capital Region, securing land and inspecting new properties
  • The Canadian Land Reclamation Association’s donation to EALT from its golf tournament proceeds
  • EALT’s annual outreach campaign, and an invitation for you to participate!
  • Creation of the Russell Family Conservation Fund

Please circulate this to friends and colleagues, and let us know of anyone who might like to be on our email list.

August 15, 2011

EALT August News Roundup – a Busy Field Season

EALT’s news focuses on our most recent land securement, and our busy summer stewardship activities, where volunteer activities are so appreciated and of so much value. In this short newsletter , you’ll see information about:

  • EALT’s recent land acquisition which expands the area protected at Ministik Bird Sanctuary
  • Our donation from the Wildbird General Store, which won an Alberta Ecotrust competition to donate funds to their favourite NGO
  • Stewarding activities at our Glory Hills property
  • The work of our field volunteers
  • Penn West’s donation to help us develop packages for our volunteers
  • Our re-organised search-friendly news archives, thanks to a website volunteer

Please circulate this to friends and colleagues, and let us know of anyone who might like to be on our email list.
For those who are interested in joining EALT as a volunteer, supporter, or in other ways, just contact us!

May 30, 2011

EALT News Roundup, May 2011

EALT has been very busy in the last few months, as our latest news roundup summarises. In this short newsletter, you’ll see information about :

• Last year’s Fundraising Campaign
• Our 2010 Annual Report which is online here
• The Wildlife Tracking Day held at our property in the Glory Hills – lots of fun for all our volunteers, and good research data too!
• Our work with the King’s University College environmental students, on a project at Larch Sanctuary on Whitemud Creek
• Biodiversity Week celebrations at City Hall, where the City presented their first environmental award – The Wild Lily of the Valley Award – which was won by Marg Reine, EALT’s Chair, for her outstanding contributions to protecting and stewarding of natural areas – congratulations, Marg!
• An update of our conservation activities on Golden Ranches, and our collaborative work with DUC
• Our current efforts to secure and protect lands near Ministik Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Please circulate this to friends and colleagues, and let us know of anyone who might like to be on our email list.

For all who are interested in the broad range of EALT’s activities, this is for you.

And for those who are interested in joining us, on EALT’s Board, as an Advisor, or other type of supporter or volunteer, just contact us!

December 31, 2010

EALT News Roundup, Winter 2010-2011

EALT has been tremendously active during 2010, as our latest news roundup summarises. In this short newsletter, you’ll see information about :

  • EALT launches its Culture-Conservation-Connection, with the first addition being a Virtual Art Gallery
  • September Field Activities summary
  • Alberta Ecotrust Awards EALT a Major Project Grant to secure lands in the Glory Hills
  • EALT was nominated for a YMCA Peace Medal
  • The Norcross Wildlife Foundation awards a technology grant to EALT
  • All at EALT thank Dr. Jim Butler for his support at the Ghost Bird event
  • We are partnering with DUC to restore wetlands at Golden Ranches
  • EALT was invited to plant a larch tree at the Larch Park Groundbreaking ceremony

Please circulate to friends and colleagues, and let us know if you’d like to be on our email list.

August 10, 2010

EALT News Roundup, August 2010

EALT’s work has been gearing up, so we’re happy to provide another news roundup. In this short newsletter, you’ll see information about :

• Ghost Bird film Showing invitation, September 23rd
• Thanks to volunteers for Hicks Site Cleanup!
• Summer monitoring opportunities at Hicks
• Joel van Huizen joins EALT this summer
• TD Friends of Environment Grant
• Golden Ranches update
• September-October fundraising and outreach support

Please circulate to friends and colleagues!

June 15, 2010

EALT News Roundup, June 2010

A lot has been happening at EALT in the last few months. Please look through our short newsletter, and enjoy reading about the following topics:

• EALT Acquires Title at Golden Ranches
• Volunteer Opportunities at the Hicks Property
• Summer 2010 Field Season
• EALT Facebook Pages
• EALT’s Culture-Conservation-Connection
• Ghost Bird: Film Showing Event, Sept 23rd
• Gordon Steinke & Don Iveson Co-Chair EALT’s Fall Campaign

Please circulate to friends and colleagues!

January 5, 2010

EALT 2009 Newsletter

As 2009 has come to a close, EALT has conveniently summarised its activities over the last year, in a one page Newsletter. For all who are interested in a recap of our key activities, this is for you.

Please circulate to friends and colleagues!

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