Why Make an Ecological Gift?
Protecting natural habitat
Ecogifts work to preserve Canada's precious wild spaces.
Ecogifts donated in Ontario to March 2006:
- 187 ecogift properties donated
- 8,119 hectares of land protected for the future
- Ontario's ecogift properties total an estimated financial
value of nearly $52 million
The value of conservation goes even deeper:
- A quarter of the ecogift properties in Ontario provide
habitat for one or more Species at Risk
- One third of the properties that are certified contain
wetland habitat
- One tenth of the properties preserve 1,120 hectares of
Great Lakes shoreline and/or coastal wetland habitat
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Tax benefits
Income tax benefits for donors can be substantial. There may be other kinds of tax benefits, as well. For instance, the donation of a conservation easement often reduces the value of the property, which may be reflected in subsequent property tax assessments.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has more information about gifts
- and income tax in general - available at their Web
site *.
You can request publications online (CRA
publications *)
by telephone at 1-800-959-2221 or by visiting a CRA office.
Creating a legacy
Donors can take comfort in knowing that they are creating a natural legacy for future generations, whether or not income tax benefits are a significant priority. The range of conservation options now available, such as title donations, conservation easements and covenants, means that donors can work with gift recipients to develop an arrangement that suits both parties' needs and allows both parties some control.
Making a donation of land does not require that donors sever
their connection, or their families' connection, with the
property. While a basic donation of title does not entitle
the donor to any future privileges or control, most recipients
continue to work with donors to ensure proper stewardship
for the land. In some cases, donors may continue to reside
on the donated land through a life estate or license. Or,
in the case of conservation easements, donors retain title
of the property. |
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