Community forum to discuss Conservation Land Trust for Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo is hosting a community forum to discuss a new, community-based approach to conserving natural and cultural heritage properties in Waterloo Region.

A Conservation Land Trust is an independent, non-profit registered charity that can hold land or conservation easements on significant natural or cultural heritage properties. This approach is already being used successfully in other communities across Ontario, but is not yet being used here in Waterloo Region.

“We have a long history of conserving natural and cultural heritage in Waterloo Region, but it is done mostly by government and government organizations or by individual landowners acting on their own. This forum is an opportunity to initiate the discussion in the larger community among individuals and organizations who may have the range of knowledge, skills, networks, energy, interest and commitment, as well as the private financial resources required to establish and operate a successful land trust to steward our environmental and cultural heritage,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling.   

For background information on this initiative, please review the Region’s report.

The Region of Waterloo’s Conservation Land Trust Forum is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at the Regional Administrative Headquarters building, 150 Frederick St., Kitchener.

Speakers include:

• Deborah Thompson, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance

• Bernie VanDenBelt, a long-time member of the Thames Talbot Land Trust

• Stephanie Sobek-Swant, Executive Director of the rare Charitable Research Reserve

• Matt Setzkorn, Ontario Farmland Trust

• Robert Orland, Orland Conservation

There will be ample time for open discussions with presenters and participants. Lunch and parking will be provided. Please RSVP online by Oct. 1, 2014, or by phone at 519-575-4757, ext. 3899.

Event details:

Region of Waterloo Conservation Land Trust Forum

When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014  

Time: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Location: Regional Administrative Headquarters building, main floor, 150 Frederick St., Kitchener.

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For more information please contact:
Chris Gosselin, Manager of Environmental Planning, 519-575-4501