NPCA’s Land Securement Strategy (LSS) provides a pathway to expand NPCA’s network of protected areas. Designed to complement existing conservation programs, the LSS identifies and prioritizes potential lands for securement and outlines methods of establishing meaningful partnerships with landowners.  

NPCA’s Strategic Plan calls for the development and implementation of a land acquisition strategy to achieve Goal 1.4: Manage lands to increase biodiversity, habitat, connectivity, and natural cover. Implementing a land securement strategy also directly supports achieving Goal 3.1: Create equitable access to greenspace for the health and well-being of people, as well as several other strategic goals and performance measures related to natural hazard protection, ecosystem improvements, and building relationships with community partners.  

Through the LSS, NPCA acquired five new land parcels totalling 125.8 hectares in 2025. These acquisitions helped NPCA meet its 10-year land acquisition target in just two years. Each property holds significant environmental value and contributes to NPCA’s conservation efforts and the natural heritage of the Niagara Peninsula watershed.   

NPCA is dedicated to protecting land in the Niagara Peninsula Watershed. To date, NPCA has secured over 3,000 hectares of conservation land with help from generous landowners who love nature as much as we do, grants and external funding, as well as municipal and conservation partners.  

If you are interested in contributing your land or wish to support conservation efforts, you have many options to choose from when protecting land, and NPCA is available to help you through the process.  

Land Donations 

EcoGifts Program: You can donate land to the NPCA through government programs such as the Ecological Gifts Program (EcoGifts Program) and receive tax benefits under the Income Tax Act. These benefits include an exemption of capital gains tax on the donated land and the ability to claim the full value of the donation as a tax credit, up to 100% of your annual income. Any unused credits can be carried forward for up to 10 years. 

Bequests: This is a flexible way to support local conservation through land donation or funding towards future land acquisition. A bequest can be a donation of land or funds in your Will to leave a legacy and protect cherished property for generations to come. 

Split-Receipts: A split-receipt allows you to receive a cash consideration for your donation of land to the NPCA. The amount is based on the difference between the property’s appraised fair market value and the value of the donation. This value is determined by a qualified appraiser and depends on whether the NPCA has, or can raise, the necessary funds.  

Trade Lands: If you wish to donate or bequeath your property, but it does not contain significant environmental features, or is not within a priority area, the NPCA can accept the gift with the intention to sell it and direct the proceeds into the securement of more strategic lands.  

Purchases 

Fee-Simple: You may choose to sell your property to the NPCA. Depending on cost, location, and environmental significant of the property, the NPCA may consider the transaction. Realtors may be involved but are not required.  

Direct Conveyance: A direct conveyance allows you to transfer part of your property to the NPCA and retain any desirable assets, such as your residence or other buildings and infrastructure.  

Conservation Easement: If you wish to keep ownership of your property but ensure its protection, a conservation easement can grant limited rights of use to the NPCA. Note that the NPCA may not accept all conservation easements in accordance with NPCA’s Land Securement Strategy and conservation priorities.  

Agreements 

Lease or Agreement Lands: Instead of taking full ownership, the NPCA can enter into a lease or management agreement to use and care for land for a set period of time. This helps protect ecologically valuable areas without a title transfer.  

Land Exchanges: In some cases, you may trade land with the NPCA in exchanged for surplus land owned by the authority. These exchanges are based on fair market value, as determined through professional appraisals (not hectare for hectare). Each exchange is carefully evaluated to ensure it supports conservation priorities and public interest.

Life-Interest/Extended Tenancy: This allows you to donate land to the NPCA and continue living on or using it for a fixed duration of time. This duration can be your lifetime, or a specific term agreed on by both parties.