FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grey County, ON — The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is pleased to announce the permanent protection of the Phillips property in Grey County through a registered conservation easement.
This project was made possible by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund.
A portion of this project was donated by Jim and Sheryl Phillips to the Ontario Farmland Trust under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. This program provides enhanced tax incentives for individuals or corporations who donate ecologically significant land.
What began in 2023 as an inquiry from the landowners, who wanted to protect their farm from the pressures of non-agricultural development, has now come to fruition. Thanks to their commitment, 101 acres of farmland and natural areas are now protected forever.
The Phillips property features a diverse mix of Class 1, 3, and 5 soils, and supports wheat and hay production. Its landscape includes woodlots, ephemeral wetlands, open grasslands, ponds, caves, cliffs, and streams, creating a mosaic of habitats for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. This rich environment provides essential habitat for species at risk such as Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Monarch. A Trail Easement through one of the property’s forested areas secures a portion of the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, which provides free public access to the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory. Approximately 750 metres of the Bruce Trail is protected here, maintained by the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) and the dedicated volunteers of the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club.
“Protecting the Phillips property means safeguarding a rare combination of prime agricultural soils and diverse ecosystems that support both wildlife and sustainable farming,” said Joel Enman, OFT’s Farmland Protection and Stewardship Program Manager. “The property is home to several at-risk species that will continue to thrive within the rich and varied habitats found on this unique and beautiful landscape.”
OFT extends its deepest gratitude to its partners, volunteers, staff, donors, and supporters, including the Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) and Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, whose dedication made this project possible. Above all, the organization recognizes Jim and Sheryl Phillips for their vision and leadership in farmland conservation.
“It brings me peace of mind to know our land is now protected and will remain intact for future generations. I’m extremely grateful for OFT’s professionalism and dedication throughout the process,” said Jim Phillips, owner of the Phillips property.
Each conservation easement completed by the Ontario Farmland Trust is shaped by the vision of landowners who choose to act for the future. The protection of the Phillips property strengthens Ontario’s agricultural legacy, ensuring that farmland continues to sustain future generations while preserving the natural and cultural heritage that defines the province’s rural landscape
ABOUT:
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $500 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $1 billion in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the country’s land trust community, leading to the protection and conservation of nearly 840,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.
Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity.
To learn more about the Ecological Gifts Program, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/ecological-gifts-program.html
OFT’s province-wide mission is to protect and preserve farmlands and associated agricultural, natural, and cultural landscapes of food production for the benefit of Ontarians today and future generations. The charitable organization advances its mission through land protection, stewardship, policy research, and education. To learn more about the project and OFT, visit www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca.
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Martin Straathof, Executive Director
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