There are dozens of ways you can help. We always need people to help with fundraising, or lend a hand at events like Trivia Night and Wine Tasting.  If you’d like to give us a hand on our nature sanctuaries, we are always looking for new volunteers to help us with their care.  The HLT committee is always looking for new voices around the table. 

Whether you’re interested in exploring the magnificent natural areas in our region, or you’re a “people person” with keen planning and organization skills, the Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust has a volunteer position with your name on it. No training or experience necessary!

Volunteers build dodgeway at the Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary

• help to preserve, protect and restore the beauty of our area for both humans and wildlife
• become a nature watcher and learn to identify various plant and animal species
• expand your skills and knowledge
• have fun

Please contact Jen Baker for details about volunteering with the HLT: land@hamiltonnature.org or 905-524-3339.

In 2005, Dundas resident Lorraine Stewart donated land in the Beverly Swamp to the HLT. The resulting Thomas & Mary Young Nature Sanctuary serves as a permanent memorial to Ms. Stewart

If you own land what can you do to protect it forever?

The Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust (HLT) program of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club works with landowners to find the best way to meet our mutual conservation goals and the landowner’s tax and estate planning needs.

HLT staff and volunteers can provide technical and legal information on conservation strategies and on tax benefits of conservation. The HLT also suggests that landowners get independent legal and financial advice.

There are a variety of conservation options, including:

• Outright donation of all or part of a property.
• Donation of land with provision for continued use by the donor.
• Sale at below market value with a charitable donation receipt for
  the difference between market value and the sale price (known as a split receipt).
• Donation of a conservation easement to permanently protect natural features on all or part of a property, while maintaining private ownership.
• Bequests of land through one’s will to create a nature sanctuary.
• In some cases, the HLT may consider purchase of high priority natural areas at market value.

To learn more or to talk to us about conservation options, please contact: Jen Baker, Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust Coordinator at land@hamiltonnature.org or 905-524-3339

The next generation loves protected tulip trees at the Short Hills Nature Sanctuary

The Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust program depends on the generous support we receive from members, friends, foundations, businesses and others to protect significant natural areas, restore habitats, create educational opportunities, and provide hands-on volunteer experiences. Some of our real costs include:

• Environmental assessment of sanctuaries
• Legal fees
• Stewardship activities to care for the sanctuaries
• Classroom education program

Donor support is key to ensuring we can build on 90 years of protecting nature for future generations.

If you value open space, the natural environment, and your community, please consider a gift to the Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust program of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. Gifts large and small are appreciated.  Remember, it’s an investment in your future!

Opportunities to contribute to the Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust program are numerous and include:

• Gifts or bequests (cash, securities, stocks) to purchase a nature sanctuary in someone’s name or as a memorial.
• Contributions to a specific project (ex. stewardship of a nature sanctuary, education program).
• Partnering with conservation-minded individuals or organizations to jointly acquire lands to protect nature.
• Cash donations to support the acquisition and stewardship costs for new nature sanctuaries.
• Gifts of time are also appreciated.  We are always looking for stewards, committee members and general nature lovers. Please visit Volunteer your time for more details.
• Spread the word to friends and family about the HLT’s work to protect land.

To learn more or to talk to us about donation and conservation options, please contact: Jen Baker, Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust Coordinator at land@hamiltonnature.org or 905-524-3339.

Land Trusts are conservation organizations that own land and/or hold interests in land, such as conservation easements, as part of their efforts to protect, enhance or restore natural areas, heritage features or agricultural lands. Land trusts work with landowners to take direct action in permanently protecting lands for conservation. Most land trusts are locally or regionally based with volunteer leadership and strong community links. The HNC became Ontario’s first land trust in 1961, with the purchase of our Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary.

2. Do I have to donate all of my property?

You can donate a portion of your property, such as the natural lands, and retain agricultural land, and/or land around buildings on the property. Donating a portion of your land to the HLT will help relieve the burden of liability associated with owning land.

3. What are the financial benefits of donating land to the HLT?

Donations of land or conservation easements can provide significant tax advantages. A third party, unbiased appraiser determines the value of the donation and the HLT, through the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, issues a charitable receipt for this value. Donating land or conservation easements through Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides enhanced tax savings that can be used against 100% of your total annual income over five years plus the year of the donation. Environment Canada’s Ecogifts program certified organizations like the HNC to act as recipients of ecological gifts.

4. Will you accept any property?

The HLT has developed criteria to evaluate the potential of accepting properties. The criteria includes determining the environmental significance of the property, its long-term stewardship costs and its potential threats.

5. What is a conservation easement?

Also called a conservation agreement, it provides the landowner with the flexibility of retaining ownership and use of the land while protecting significant features. Conservation easements are legal documents by which the landowner voluntarily places restrictions on specific activities on the property. The easement runs on title and is tailored to fit the interests of the landowners and the features being protected so that all future landowners are bound by your conditions.

6. The part of my property I’m thinking of donating, does not have any road access. Would you still be interested in it?

The HLT is interested in considering properties with no road access and already has a nature sanctuary that is landlocked. We can come up with creative solutions to gain access to the property, such as by making agreements with neighbouring landowners.

7. Will my property become a nature sanctuary?

Yes, all properties that the HLT secures become nature sanctuaries.

8. Can I be sure my property would be protected forever?

The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club has been protecting land for 50 years and will continue to protect and care for all lands that it acquires. The Club also has a policy that it will not sell or transfer properties.

9 . If I want to discuss this with someone, what is the next step?

The HLT would be happy to arrange a meeting and a site visit of your property. Please contact Jen Baker, Land Trust Coordinator, at land@hamiltonnature.org or 905-381-0329 to make arrangements.