Standard 12: Land Stewardship
The land trust has a program of responsible stewardship for the land it holds other than through a conservation agreement for conservation purposes.
Background
Many land trusts hold land other than through conservation agreement for a variety of conservation purposes, and must take care of these properties. Failure to manage and monitor the property could lead to loss of or damage to the property’s conservation values, injury to visitors, or even loss of the property itself. A land trust that does not care for its holdings will lose credibility. A land trust should also make contingency provisions for its land in the event it can no longer fulfill its stewardship obligations.
Relevant Law
- Canada Revenue Agency policy interpretation of Income Tax Act, SC 1985, c. I; see
- Income Tax Act, SC 1985, c. I, s. 149.1 (6.3);
see also Canada Revenue Agency policy interpretations at
- Expropriation Act, RSBC 1996, c. 125.
- Expropriation Act, SC 1996, c. E-21.
- Taxation (Rural Area) Act, RSBC 1996, c. 447.
- School Act, RSBC 1996, c. 412.
- Police Act, RSBC 1996, c. 367.
- Property Transfer Tax Act, RSBC 1996, c. 378.
- Social Service Tax Act, RSBC 1996, c. 431.
PRACTICE
E. Land Stewardship Administration
The land trust performs administrative duties in a timely and responsible manner. This includes establishing policies and procedures, keeping essential records, filing forms, paying insurance, paying any taxes and/or securing appropriate tax exemptions, budgeting, and maintaining files. Staff and volunteers responsible for administrative duties and responsibilities will be adequately trained.
Background
Good recordkeeping and administration ensure that stewardship responsibilities are met, and are essential to provide continuity as the board or staff changes. A land trust needs to anticipate the time necessary to accomplish administrative obligations and make them regular practices. This practice can be accomplished by regularly training staff and volunteers on administration requirements and processes. The practice gives a general idea of the types of records that must be maintained for properties held by the land trust. The records policy of 2D should also be followed.
