The Legacy Land Trust Society plans to continue building on its successful inaugural year, its executive director said.
“We would like to wrap up our next couple of conservation projects,” said Kim Good last week during an interview with the Gazette.
“We have another seven landowners who are interested when we can put the funding together.”
The society held its first annual general meeting at the Olds Legion on March 31. More than 30 people who attended were provided the opportunity to enjoy a meal while visiting and learning more about the trust, she said.
Last year heralded many firsts for the organization, which received non-profit status under the Alberta government and charitable status under the federal government, she said.
The society was originally formed entirely of volunteers, but starting a brand new organization from a blank canvas is a bigger task than volunteers can handle alone, so Good said she was hired as the executive director in August.
Before the new year, the society signed its first conservation easement and held its first workshop about how conservation tools can help in financial and succession planning, she said.
Looking to the year ahead, the organization plans to continue working on the two new conservation projects, which are fully funded. Additionally, the society is fundraising to help a number of other landowners who have expressed an interest in conserving their land, she said.
During the annual general meeting, Sarah Leach, the society's board secretary, introduced the Legacy Land Trust's new stories project.
“The idea for the stories project arose at a board retreat when stories of Mountain View County's history were shared — not the kind of history that is found easily in books, but history of wayward spots nearly forgotten to time and erosion,” Good wrote in a press release.
“Land trusts provide important tools for conserving the land itself, but also the stories of the critters and people that have survived on and cared for the land.”
Two guest speakers also addressed the crowd. Mark Wonneck, an ecologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, spoke about wild pollinators and their conservation in agricultural landscapes in the province.
Michael Dougherty, a board member of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and manager of the Carstairs Heritage Centre, discussed the value and challenges of conserving heritage landscapes and the potential role the society can play as a land trust in the region to help landowners.
“It's coming along just great,” Good told the Gazette when asked how the society has progressed in its inaugural year. “It's definitely been busy, but productive.”
With one conservation project already under its belt, the society is looking forward to continue building on that success.
The organization is now working to get business plans in place for the next two conservation projects planned, she said, adding the trust is right about where the board had hoped it would be.
“From a project point of view, we're on track,” she said.
The society has also held a number of successful public events — part of the organization's mandate is education and outreach regarding land conservation and stewardship, she said.
The trust's future has a positive outlook, and although it might not be the best time to start a new fundraiser considering the economy, the society is grateful in terms of the contributions people have already made as well as the funding commitments others have made, she said, adding efforts are also always underway to pursue potential grants.
Conservation projects can cost anywhere in the range of about $20,000 to $60,000 depending on the property, the amount of land, and what the owner wants done, she said.
“As a project comes forward, we build a profile on the project. We sit with the landowner, they share their vision, and then we build a profile based on that,” she said, adding efforts are then undertaken to find the funding to make it happen.
A portion of the funding for a project goes into an endowment fund to take care of property into the future. Although the trust is responsible for the land, the owner remains its proprietor, she said.
“We are a partner with them to ensure it (the land) stays conserved over time,” she said.
On June 4, the society plans to hold its second annual Legacy Friendraiser at the Eagle Hill Hall, and anyone who's inclined is welcome to attend.
The event will feature some experts who will guide people on tours to see what is being done on the ground in terms of conservation.
The subjects covered will include grazing systems, pollinators and amphibian habitats, she said, adding there will be a meal, live music and a silent auction to wrap up the day.
Anyone who's interested in more information can visit www.legacylandtrustsociety.ca or call 403-556-1029.
"We have another seven landowners who are interested when we can put the funding together."Kim Goodexecutive director
