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Habitat loss and degradation are among the greatest threats to biodiversity in Canada today. As forests are cleared and wetlands are drained for development, our wild plants and animals are being forced onto smaller and more fragmented patches of land.
Many important wildlife habitats are found on private properties, such as cottages, woodlots, ranches and farms. The people who own these lands play an important role in protecting such habitats by limiting certain activities and practices, and encouraging restoration and stewardship. But what happens if they can no longer care for their property, or it passes out of their hands?
Since 1995, Environment Canada's Ecological Gifts Program has enabled individual and corporate landowners to protect their cherished piece of nature forever by donating ecologically-sensitive land to an environmental charity or government body. An "ecogift" can be a donation of land or a partial interest in land - such as a conservation easement, covenant or servitude. In addition to the peace of mind of knowing that the land will be managed by the recipient according to mutually agreed-upon conservation goals and objectives, donors are also eligible to receive income tax benefits for their donation.
An increasing number of conservation-minded Canadian landowners take part in the Ecological Gifts Program each year. Each donation, no matter how small, makes a substantial contribution to the creation of a network of protected areas that reaches across virtually every habitat and region in Canada.
