Western Sky Land Trust
  • About
    • Our Story
    • What Is A Land Trust?
    • How We Conserve
    • Board Members and Staff
    • Visiting Our Properties
    • Areas Of Focus
    • Financial Statements
    • Videos
  • Legacy Lands
    • Bow & Beyond Initiative
    • Bow River Watershed >
      • Jerry Brunen Land Naming Ceremony
      • Bruce Islands
      • Grace Upon Grace
      • Nutrien Nodwell Nature Preserve
    • Rosebud River Valley >
      • Half Diamond Ranch
      • Spruce Coulee Farms
      • Will Farms
      • EA Clark Lands
    • Red Deer River >
      • Mattheis Ranch
    • Highwood River >
      • Alequiers Lands
      • Highwood Ridge Farm
    • Ghost River >
      • Ripley Creek Canyon Ranch
      • Wild Buffalo Ranch
      • The Carroll Manning 55
    • Milk River >
      • Devil’s Coulee Ranch
    • Nose Creek Region >
      • Dr. Bob & Gina Conservation Legacy Lands
    • Sheep River Region >
      • Chinook Valley
  • Contact Us
  • Donate Now
    • Friends of Western Sky
    • Donate Via Canada Helps
    • Programs To Support
    • Partners and Supporters
What is a Land Trust?
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A land trust is a not-for-profit entity established for the purpose of conserving land.
Western Sky is committed to the permanent protection of our natural and cultural heritage by actively working to conserve land in southern Alberta. We accept donations of land, hold conservation easements, or raise funds to purchase properties.
We are focused on conserving watersheds for their agricultural, natural, heritage, scenic and recreational values. Western Sky works cooperatively with landowners to protect open spaces.
The words "land trust" and "conservancy" mean the same thing.

How We Conserve
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Western Sky’s conservation programs focus on land that has natural, scenic, agricultural, historical or recreational valueWe have numerous tools available for landowners to voluntarily conserve their lands. These include:
Fee Simple Acquisition

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In a fee simple acquisition Western Sky would own the land. This is the most secure form of conservation and takes place through one of the following mechanisms or through a combination of the following tools: land donation, land purchase or partial donation with a cash purchase of the remaining land.
Donations or partial donations of land are eligible for tax benefits and many properties may qualify for the federal Ecological Gifts Program (EcoGifts) which provides additional tax benefits. Western Sky has also worked with landowners who have donated their land and retained use of the property through a life estate.
For more information on EcoGifts please visit: www.ec.gc.ca/pde-egp
Conservation Easements or Covenants

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Conservation easements allow the landowner to remain the sole owner of the property. The easement places restrictions on the land. These restrictions are mutually agreed upon by the landowner and Western Sky. Should the landowner sell the land or change ownership in any way, the conservation easement will remain on the property.

OUR ADDRESS

Western Sky Land Trust
Spring Gardens - Building D
861 – 40th Avenue N.E.
Mail Code #64
P.O. Box 2100, Stn. M
Calgary, AB  T2P 2M5
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CONTACT OUR TEAM

Max Fritz 
Executive Director
(403) 585 4054
mfritz@westernskylandtrust.ca
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Mary Jane Block
Director of Rural Development and Conservation
(403) 559 6068
mjblock@westernskylandtrust.ca
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  • About
    • Our Story
    • What Is A Land Trust?
    • How We Conserve
    • Board Members and Staff
    • Visiting Our Properties
    • Areas Of Focus
    • Financial Statements
    • Videos
  • Legacy Lands
    • Bow & Beyond Initiative
    • Bow River Watershed >
      • Jerry Brunen Land Naming Ceremony
      • Bruce Islands
      • Grace Upon Grace
      • Nutrien Nodwell Nature Preserve
    • Rosebud River Valley >
      • Half Diamond Ranch
      • Spruce Coulee Farms
      • Will Farms
      • EA Clark Lands
    • Red Deer River >
      • Mattheis Ranch
    • Highwood River >
      • Alequiers Lands
      • Highwood Ridge Farm
    • Ghost River >
      • Ripley Creek Canyon Ranch
      • Wild Buffalo Ranch
      • The Carroll Manning 55
    • Milk River >
      • Devil’s Coulee Ranch
    • Nose Creek Region >
      • Dr. Bob & Gina Conservation Legacy Lands
    • Sheep River Region >
      • Chinook Valley
  • Contact Us
  • Donate Now
    • Friends of Western Sky
    • Donate Via Canada Helps
    • Programs To Support
    • Partners and Supporters