If you are planning development of a property that includes ecologically significant or sensitive land you may be required to preserve and protect some of the property through a land transfer or a conservation covenant.

Land that is transferred or covenanted as a requirement of development is not eligible for a tax receipt and requires a special application process. Development related applications can include conservation applications related to rezoning or other applications through the local trust committee.

For Applicants

Under Islands Trust Conservancy policy, applicants who submit development related conservation proposals must also provide:

• ecological assessment by a qualified ecologist/biologist, dated within 1 year of application
• an archeological review of both the proposed protected area and the proposed development, dated within 1 year of application
• payment for costs associated with the application (e.g. land title fees)

Applicants may also be required to provide a contribution for ongoing maintenance and management of the land. The amount required is at the discretion of the Islands Trust Conservancy Board.

If land conservation is not a requirement of your development proposal, you may also wish to consider a voluntary donation of land or a conservation covenant.

Land that is transferred or covenanted as a requirement of development is not eligible for a tax receipt.