Ontario Land Conservation and Stewardship

In a Land Transfer (Land Donation and/or Sale), full land ownership is transferred to Ducks Unlimited Canada. We take on ownership and stewardship responsibilities for the properties. In a Conservation Easement, the landowner retains ownership of the property and the rights and responsibilities of ownership such as property stewardship and property taxes.

The Conservation Easement is registered on the land title, restricting certain future uses of the property such as development, and giving Ducks Unlimited Canada access to monitor the property to ensure the easement is maintained.

Ducks Unlimited Canada prioritizes parcels of land within identified priority habitat areas. Properties may be considered based on multiple conservation values, including existing wetlands and associated upland habitat, waterfowl and species at risk habitat, habitat restoration potential, and land that improves connectivity to the larger natural landscape.

If you choose to conserve your land through a donation, you may be eligible for a tax receipt. Both land transfers and Conservation Easements can be full or partial donations. As a charitable organization, Ducks Unlimited Canada can issue tax receipts following Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) gift guidelines. Landowners are strongly encouraged to seek their own legal and financial advice to know how a donation would affect them and their family.

When a landowner submits an inquiry, Ducks Unlimited Canada staff will do an initial review of the property and discuss with the landowner their expectations and motivations. The next preliminary step is to complete a site visit and environmental assessment. Once DUC and the landowner agree to pursue securement of the property, DUC will begin the process of internal approval, appraisal, and drafting of the agreement. The final step is finalizing the agreement and issuing payment or the tax donation receipt to the landowner.

Landowners are under no obligation to proceed with securement until a formal agreement is signed. Ducks Unlimited Canada coordinates much of the technical and administrative process, including funding applications, appraisals, surveys, and legal document preparation. Landowners are involved in initial discussions, site visit for access, and negotiations related to the agreement, DUC strongly recommends that landowners consult with their own lawyer and financial advisor to fully understand the legal, financial, and tax implications of any securement option being considered.

Depending on the complexity of the property and available funding, land transfers to Ducks Unlimited Canada can take from 6 months to multiple years. Conservation Easements take at least one year to multiple years.

Ducks Unlimited Canada conserves land primarily in the Mixedwood Plains eco-zone of Ontario. The Mixedwood Plains runs approximately from Ottawa west to Peterborough and Simcoe County, and south all the way to Windsor and Niagara.

Public access depends on ownership, site sensitivity, safety considerations, and project objectives. For conservation easements, public access isn’t allowed unless requested by the landowner and permitted in the easement. For properties donated to Ducks Unlimited Canada, the landowner can make a donor request to limit or restrict public access in the donation agreement if they feel it will protect the natural integrity of the habitat.