Capital Campaigns

New Lands

Morton Creek

Even if a property itself is donated, there are costs involved in securing new land. RWLT often has to engage professionals, and secure:

• appraisals to determine fair value for charitable receipts;
• baseline environmental inventories to demonstrate ecological value;
• surveys to confirm boundaries; and
• legal research to confirm clear title and draw-up agreements.

If a donation is made by a US citizen, RWLT incurs costs to engage the assistance of the American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts, with the bi-national legal and tax aspects of a ‘cross-border’ transaction.

Any one of these costs can range from $2,000 to $10,000.  It is imperative that RWLT have a land acquisition fund so that it can meaningfully explore the securement of critical natural areas along the Rideau Waterway.

Property Stewardship

J.H. Fullard Nature Reserve

Since 1996 RWLT has become the entrusted owner of 19 properties, involving 1086 acres and 23 islands.  Once secured, RWLT must undertake actions to manage the lands, and these again involve costs and RWLT seeks to have a property stewardship fund.

Examples of actions include:

• the payment of property taxes ($9,000 in 2018);
• applications with environmental data for property tax rebate;
• liability insurance coverage (annual premium $3,500 in 2018);
• regular inspections regarding risk and environmental conditions;
• preparation and updating of management plans/species inventories; and
• possibly work parties to control invasive species.

Property Maintenance

RWLT, like any property owner, incurs upkeep costs.  RWLT also seeks to have a property maintenance fund.

Examples include:

Stanley Lash Lane on Rock Dunder

• working with neighbours (eg. hazardous trees, fences, trespass);
• property signage; and
• habitat enhancement projects.

For those properties which are open for public access, there are additional costs, such as:

• trail improvements;
• provision of parking areas;
• garbage removal;
• educational interpretation; and
• provision of amenities like benches, interpretive signs and brochures.

Edwards Wetlands

Land Trust Operations and Outreach

As a registered charity, RWLT has reporting obligations and has to engage authorized professionals to handle them (eg. auditor, bank).  RWLT uses various methods to inform the public about its work and solicit donations (eg. website, newsletter, fundraising agents).  While RWLT does its best to keep these organizational costs to a minimum, it still has costs and desires to have an outreach/operations fund.

Current Projects

RWLT is not currently fundraising for specific land acquisitions.