Western Sky Land Trust
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dustin Pate, Conservation Planning Coordinator |
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Organization's mandate
To conserve open space and natural landscapes in the Calgary region
Geographic area of conservation program
Calgary region
Areas (geographic) of particular focus
Western Sky Land Trust is currently focused on lands that are near or adjacent to the Bow River through the Bow and Beyond Initiative. However, Western Sky is open to the conservation of land regardless of location, dependent on conservation value.
Thematic or ecological areas of focus
Lands which contain, or are adjacent to, water bodies, and are associated with agricultural, recreational, scenic, natural and heritage values.
Donation or sales
Western Sky will accept donations of conservation easements and will also purchase conservation easements outright.
Compensation
Western Sky will provide tax receipts for gifts of properties or conservation easements, cash, split receipts, and, if applicable, additional tax breaks through the Ecological Gifts program.
Minimum parcel size
N/A - each property is assessed on an individual basis.
Associated programs
Western Sky is involved in riparian health assessments on a number of conservation easement properties. They have hosted landowner forums, worked with municipalities to provide weed control and organized an annual clean up.
Relationship with landowners
Building strong relationships with landowners is the number one priority for Western Sky. They foster relationships with committed landowners, and they want landowners to continue to play an integral role in conservation.
Support for landowners
Western Sky provides assistance with Eco-gift applications and does cost sharing for appraisals. They will also do fee simple transfers and are open to termed management agreements (ten to thirty year conservation agreements).
Stewardship activities
WHO: Western Sky Land Trust.
HOW OFTEN: Annually; an official reassessment of the baseline conditions are done every five to ten years.
INFORMATION PROVIDED: Western Sky will inform landowners of any stewardship needs and develop a management plan.
Endowment fund
Western Sky has a stewardship fund for all properties. Funds are secured from landowners, individual philanthropists, corporations and government grants.
Grazing
Grazing is allowed if it is specified as an exclusive and allowable use by the landowner, and if it is done in responsible fashion.
Public access on conservation easement lands
It depends on the wishes of the landowner. Some Western Sky properties have full public access, while others have managed public access. No intensive recreation (hunting, motorized use) is allowed.
Defense fund
Western Sky does not have a defense fund, but has access to in-kind legal resources through their board and advisory committee.
Photo Credit: W. Hawkins
