FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 MARCH 2025
The Centre for Land Conservation (CLC) today announced the first Canadian land trusts to achieve Conservation Excellence Certification, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Canada's land conservation sector.
The six certified organizations represent conservation leadership from coast to coast
· Couchiching Conservancy, Ontario
· Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, Ontario
· Kawartha Land Trust, Ontario
· Nature Trust of New Brunswick, New Brunswick
· Ontario Farmland Trust, Ontario
· Southern Interior Land Trust Society, British Columbia
"This certification represents a watershed moment for land conservation in Canada." said Lara Ellis, Executive Director of the Centre for Land Conservation. "These six organizations have demonstrated exceptional commitment to conservation excellence. Their certification signals to donors, partners, and communities that they operate at the highest levels of professional practice and conservation impact."
“We are honoured to be among the first land trusts in Canada to achieve Conservation Excellence Certification. This recognition underscores our dedication to being a professional organization, trusted with the responsibility to protect nature — strengthening climate resilience in our communities and safeguarding New Brunswick’s precious natural habitats and the wildlife that depend on them, for future generations." - Stephanie Merrill, CEO, Nature Trust of New Brunswick
Protected natural areas are essential to the quality of life of Canadians, providing wildlife habitat and places for recreation, connecting people with nature in their communities, conserving vital biodiversity, and serving as natural carbon sinks that help mitigate climate change impacts.
Recent polling shows that accreditation programs like the Conservation Excellence Certification strongly influence donor confidence, with 90% of Canadian donors reporting increased confidence in third-party certified organizations.
The Conservation Excellence Certification Program, supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), philanthropic foundations, and individual donors, promotes conservation excellence through third-party evaluation of conservation impact, governance, and organizational sustainability against nationally adopted standards and practices. Certified organizations are authorized to use the Conservation Excellence Certification Trustmark and will be listed in a public registry on the CLC website.
Additional land trusts are currently undergoing assessment, and the program aims to enroll up to 40 land trusts across Canada by March 2026.
This program has been made possible due to financial contributions from Environment Climate Change Canada, the McLean Foundation, Power Corporation of Canada, the Echo Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation.
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About the Conservation Excellence Certification Program
The program is made possible through the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Power Corporation, the Michael Young Family Foundation, and donors from across Canada
Certification is based on Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices (CLTSPs)
Organizations are evaluated on conservation outcomes, governance, sustainability practices, strategic planning, and financial management
Recent polling shows 90% of Canadian donors have increased confidence in third-party certified organizations
Certification is valid for four years, with the option to renew
Certified organizations receive authorization to use the Conservation Excellence Certification Trustmark
A public registry of certified organizations will be maintained on the CLC website
About Land Trusts in Canada
Over 140 regional and community land trusts operate across Canada
Land trusts are non-profit charitable organizations focused on conserving private property through donation, acquisition and conservation agreements
Land trusts have protected over 112,000 hectares of Canada's terrestrial land mass
Links
About the Centre for Land Conservation
The Centre for Land Conservation (CLC) was established in 2019 as a national think-tank that advances whole landscape conservation and stewardship through certification, policy, and research. For more information: www.centreforlandconservation.org
Media contacts
Lara Ellis, Centre for Land Conservation
lara.ellis@centreforlandconservation.org
416-303-7492
Jon MacNeill, Communications Manager
Nature Trust of New Brunswick