The Foundation, being an organization known for its conservation focus, has been the recipient of several land donations. A donation of real estate could ensure the continued conservation of this land and, in some circumstances, results in revenue for the Foundation to support their conservation programs. Land donations to the Foundation have included farms, woodlots and recreation lands. Some lands have been enhanced and developed into Conservation Areas, allowing the public to enjoy the beauty of our natural heritage. In addition, the donor may place conditions on the donation to ensure their wishes for the land are met. Changes in the Income Tax Act have made such donations much more attractive. A charitable tax receipt is issued based on an independent appraisal.
Currently, the Foundation has received 13 land donations totalling 300 hectares.
Foundation Properties
Bates Conservation Lands:
Bates Conservation Lands, located along Rondeau Bay, was donated to the Foundation in 2002. Miss Bates generously donated 29 hectares of land bordering Rondeau Bay and Lake Erie. Approximately 17 hectares is a wetland known locally as Bates Marsh. The remaining lands include the homestead and forested land bordering the marsh and Lake Erie. According to Miss Bates’ wishes, the lands are to be preserved for wildlife. The property qualified as an Eco-gift through Environment Canada.
Clark Wright Conservation Area:
Mr. Clark Wright, a prominent resident of Strathroy, Ontario, was the founding president of the Foundation. Mr. Wright donated 20 hectares in Strathroy-Caradoc to the Foundation in 1986. In 1991, the Foundation officially opened the Clark Wright Conservation Forest. This is the Foundation’s fourth Conservation Forest and was established in memory of Mr. Clark Wright who passed away on December 5, 1990.
Cochrane Property:
In 1989, Robert Cochrane donated 1.5 hectares of land in Enniskillen Township to the Foundation. The property was previously planted to trees and is a demonstration site for reforestation on hill sides.
Evoy Woodlot:
This 36 hectare woodlot was donated through an irrevocable trust agreement registered on title. It was donated by Lance and Dale Evoy and their families. Their father, Tom Evoy, served on the Conservation Authority Board of Directors for 16 years and on the Foundation for 16 years.
Fraser Property:
The Fraser property was donated to the Foundation by Mr. Bert Fraser in 1988. The one hectare of floodplain is now a part of the Esli G. Dodge Conservation Area in the community of Forest.
Gawne Property:
Upon Mrs. Gawne’s passing in April of 1997, her 40 hectare farm in the Township of Dawn-Euphemia was donated to the Foundation. In 2004, the Foundation purchased the life lease from Mrs. Gawne’s son. Arrangements have been made with a neighbour to exchange approximately 1.8 hectares (the lot containing the buildings) for an equivalent area of forest land. In this way, the Foundation increases its holdings of forest while decreasing its liability of holding land with structures.
Harrison Woodlot:
This 8 hectare woodlot in Middlesex Centre was generously donated in 2002 to the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation by Lyle and Catharine Harrison in memory of Wayne Harrison. The woodlot is located on Sinclair Drive in Middlesex Centre. This property was donated by the Harrisons to preserve the woodlot for the benefit of future generations. A stream crossing was installed in 2004 to provide access to the woodlot by visitors. This access was funded through the Middlesex Stewardship Committee.
Huff Property:
Norman and Douglas Huff donated a 12 hectare woodlot in The Municipality of Chatham-Kent to the Foundation in 1999. The property is being managed for timber and will also be used for passive recreation such as hiking and bird watching. The property qualified as an Eco-gift through Environment Canada.
Maple Woodlot:
The Huron District Investment Company donated 3.2 hectares of woodlot to the Foundation in the centre of the Maples Subdivision in Plympton-Wyoming. The woodlot will provide a beautiful green space for this new community.
Murray Property:
A one hectare property in the community of Forest was generously donated in 1997 to the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation by Mrs. Barbara Murray. The property abuts the Esli G. Dodge Conservation Area and provides additional access to the Conservation Area from Highway 21.
Reid Property:
This 69 hectare property in St. Clair Township was donated by Lena Reid and Jean Lye. The property includes a beautiful 46 hectare forest which contains many significant Carolinian tree species such as giant shell bark hickory, chinquapin oak and blue ash. The property qualified as an Eco-gift through Environment Canada.
Sinclair Property:
In 1989, the Foundation received a land donation from the late Dr. Douglas Sinclair and Naomi Sinclair. The 80 hectare property in the Township of Dawn-Euphemia includes a tallgrass prairie nursery operated by the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network and a 35 hectare forest.
Western Land Company Property:
The Western Land Company donated six hectares of ravine land in the community of Strathroy to the Foundation. The lands join with the 40 hectare Strathroy Conservation Area and will allow the trails in the Conservation Area to be extended along a beautiful ravine.
Keith McLean Conservation Lands:
The Keith McLean Conservation Lands was officially opened on June 27, 2013. This 130 ha property is famous for its Lotus ponds and includes farmland, forests, wetlands, and prairie. It is located just east of Rondeau Provincial Park. Click here for a map of the property
Foundation Links
Memorial Forest Dedication 2020