Edmonton & Area Land Trust

Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT) is a regional non-profit organization based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. EALT promotes conservation of the natural heritage of Edmonton and area through private stewardship,^[1] and is registered as a charitable agency with the Canada Revenue Agency. Currently the land trust stewards seven properties in the Edmonton area with more to come.^[2]

Edmonton and Area Land Trust

Founded	2007
Type	Land Trust
Location	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Area served	Edmonton and Area
Method	Conservation through Private Stewardship
Key people	Pamela Wight, Executive Director Rebecca Ellis, Project Coordinator Stephanie Weizenbach, Outreach Coordinator
Slogan	Protecting our land. Preserving our legacy.
Website	http://ealt.ca

Method

EALT approaches the conservation of natural areas through land trust using three basic tools:^[3]

• Land acquisition through purchase or donation
• Conservation easement
• Education and stewardship

History

The EALT was established in 2007 by a group of six local founding Members:^[1][4][5]

• City of Edmonton
• Edmonton Community Foundation
• Edmonton Nature Club
• Urban Development Institute - Greater Edmonton Chapter
• Land Stewardship Centre of Canada
• Legacy Lands Conservation Society

Properties

EALT acquires and conserves ecologically significant lands in the Edmonton region, including Camrose County, Leduc County, Parkland County, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, and Wetaskiwin County. After acquiring a new property, EALT conducts baseline studies to document the flora and fauna on each property and completes a management plan to determine any issues or actions to be taken. EALT works with other conservation organizations to acquire and steward natural areas. EALT relies on assistance from volunteers, and works with local youth groups, university students, businesses and other partners. Wildlife monitoring and invasive plant control are the most common stewarding activities and require annual attention.^[6][7][8] EALT encourages all kinds of passive recreational activities, including geocaching and has installed a dozen geocaches filled with facts on the local environment on six of the properties.^[9][10]

Hicks

Hicks

The Hicks property was secured in May 2009 and is jointly owned by EALT and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). It was given to the organizations by EALT's anonymous donor. It measures 149 acres and is located in Strathcona County.^[11]

Golden Ranches

Golden Ranches

The Golden Ranches property was secured in May 2010 with the assistance of Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), Alberta Fish & Game Association (AFGA), Beaver Hills Initiative (BHI), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), and Strathcona County. Besides the three quarters purchased for EALT via an anonymous donor, funds to secure the property were provided by the organizations themselves and through creative fundraising events and donations. The secured lands measure approximately 1,400 acres and is the largest property EALT helped to secure. To help restore forested areas a total of 220,000 trees were planted throughout Golden Ranches, through a partnership EALT had developed with The Carbon Farmer.^[12][13][14]

Glory Hills

Glory Hills

Glory Hills struggles with off highway vehicle and especially snowmobile trespassing during winter months, which cause erosion damage and harm vegetation and wildlife. In addition, there continues to be illegal hunting. EALT organizes fencing projects where wildlife friendly fences are installed to mitigate impacts.^[15][16][17]

Ministik

Ministik

The Ministik property was secured in May 2011. It was purchased for EALT by an anonymous donor. Ministik is perfect squared quarter section property, 160 acres in size. It is located in Camrose County, adjacent to the Ministik International Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The property includes a matrix of wetlands, modified grasslands and deciduous forest, it therefore holds important habitat for both prey and predator species. Waterfowl, moose, deer and small mammals have all been observed on the property along with raptors, wolves, coyotes and horned grebes. Ministik is located in a designated Important Bird Area and borders the Ministik Bird Sanctuary. It is a part of the Cooking Lake Moraine Natural Area and Prairie Pothole Region. Numerous wetlands on this property are important for filtering water and maintaining the region's water supply. 16,000 trees were planted on the property with assistance of The Carbon Farmer. Old fences that were a barrier to wildlife were removed and replaced with wildlife friendly fences. Waterfowl and saw-whet owl nest boxes were installed with the help of the 59th Greenfield Scout Group.^{[18][19][20][21]}

Pipestone Creek

Pipestone Creek

The Pipestone Creek property was secured in May 2012. It was purchased for EALT by an anonymous donor. Pipestone Creek measures 104 acres and is located in Wetaskiwin County, near Coal Lake. This property features several vegetation community types, including spruce woodland, aspen parkland and dry grasslands that feature plants not commonly found this far north in Alberta. It is named after Pipestone Creek, which it borders on the southwest side. The most common wildlife found in Pipestone Creek are deer, great blue heron, cedar waxwings and hermit thrush. Acquiring this property ensures that the creek and riparian area are protected and can function as a corridor for wildlife movement. Keeping the creek surroundings natural, ensures a healthy watershed, and in turn, a healthy water supply for the region. Over 31,400 trees and shrubs were planted in partnership with The Carbon Farmer. Trails and invasive plant control are maintained by EALT and local volunteers. Pipestone Creek struggles with off highway vehicle and especially snowmobile trespassing during winter months, which cause erosion damage and harm vegetation and wildlife. Wildlife friendly fences were installed to mitigate trespassing impacts.^{[22][23][24][25]}

Boisvert's GreenWoods

Boisvert's GreenWood

Boisvert's GreenWood was secured in 2014. It Measures 80 acres and is located in Sturgeon County, north of Morinville.

Coates

Coates

Coates is EALT's newest project and in its final stages of subdivision. It measures 80 acres and is located in Leduc County, southwest of Devon.

See also

• Land trust
• Conservation Movement
• Wildlife Preservation Canada
• Ecotrust Canada
• Georgian Bay Land Trust

References

External links

• Edmonton & Area Land Trust