Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Justin Thompson, Executive Director |
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Organization's mandate
The Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS) is a locally-based, rancher-driven, nonprofit organization with registered charity status, dedicated to preserving the ecological, productive, scenic and cultural values of Alberta's Eastern Slopes, prairie and foothill regions.
SALTS was organized under the belief that the most effective and lasting conservation solutions both originate and are maintained at the community level through empowering individuals with the necessary tools and vision.
The work of SALTS includes initiatives in the following key areas:
- Conservation Easements - Informing people about the value of conservation easements and how such an easement can aid in succession planning, accepting donations of conservation easements, and monitoring the health and integrity of the easements already held by SALTS.
- Education - Educating the local community, the general public, industry, and government about the value of the native fescue grassland ecosystem within the Eastern Slopes, and the need to protect it from loss and fragmentation due to the cumulative effects of urban residential expansion, industrial development, and invasion by alien plant species.
- Ecosystem Study and Protection - Promoting and coordinating scientific studies into healthy ecosystems, watershed issues, riparian health, native fescue grass, carbon sequestration, and appropriate land use policies.
- Range Management and Monitoring - Fostering the development and use of appropriate range mapping, monitoring and management tools to help ranchers improve their understanding and stewardship of the native grassland resource and the associated watershed.
Geographic area of conservation program
Red Deer, Alberta south to the U.S. border - approximately the South Saskatchewan River Basin
Areas (geographic) of particular focus
Native grasslands (including woodlands) and the foothills of southern Alberta
Thematic or ecological areas of focus
Watersheds, wildlife and western heritage
Donation or sales
SALTS receives donations of conservation easements and provides charitable tax receipts. In extraordinary circumstances they may consider purchasing easements.
Compensation
SALTS is able to provide tax receipts, cash and split receipts.
Minimum parcel size
N/A - SALTS has an assessment guide to determine if they will proceed with an easement with a landowner. There are grounds upon which they will not pursue an easement.
Associated programs
SALTS educates people about the importance of water, wildlife and western heritage. SALTS also engages in core projects (such as pre- and post-contact archaeology) that support their education initiatives.
Relationship with landowners
SALTS has excellent relationships with landowners. There is a strong landowner representation on the SALTS board, and they use their experiences of living and working on the land to help guide the organization. SALTS tries to reflect the concerns and interests of landowners.
Support for landowners
SALTS will provide the necessary support for the Ecogifts program. They can also provide split receipting. Generally, SALTS pays for the conservation easement process including appraisals and baseline studies. Landowners may be asked for a contribution to the stewardship program.
Stewardship activities
WHO: SALTS.
HOW OFTEN: Annually or every two years.
INFORMATION PROVIDED: SALTS will provide a copy of the inspection if the landowner is interested. Generally, SALTS will talk to the landowner and provide specific information of use to the landowner.
Endowment fund
SALTS ask landowners to contribute to their endowment fund if possible, with a goal of securing $30,000/ easement.
Grazing
Grazing is allowed and encouraged, although it isn't a prerequisite. SALTS asks that the condition of the grasslands is maintained at, or better than, baseline (as determined through a range health assessment).
Public access on conservation easement lands
SALTS does not restrict hunting on conservation easement lands; it is up to the discretion of the landowner. The conservation easement agreement is built around conservation value, and this guides what will be allowed on a piece of land.
Defense fund
SALTS has started a defense fund.
Photo Credit: Alan Gardner
