The Ontario Forestry Conservation Easement Pilot Project, an initiative led by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in partnership with Pilot Projects Collaborative, promotes forest conservation and sustainable management in Eastern Ontario using conservation easement agreements (CEA) with private landholders. Privately owned forests make up 6% of Canada’s total forest cover, making them crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem services. These private forests - which include small family-owned areas - are often facing increasing pressure for land use conversion (e.g., urban development, agriculture). As stewards of these important landscapes the landowners have a unique opportunity to play a critical role in conserving Ontario’s forests, and the natural beauty, carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and many other services that these forests provide.

Get involved

DUC brings over 40 years of organizational experience facilitating conservation easements. Through this pilot project, DUC may compensate a select number of landowners for the appraised value of the implemented conservation easement within the defined scope. The value of the easements will be assessed during summer and fall 2024. If you’d like to be a part of this effort, please join us in preserving forests for generations to come!

Applications to participate are now closed.

Conservation Easement Agreements

A forestry conservation easement agreement is a voluntary legal agreement to permanently direct land use and protect its conservation value and ecological integrity. Conservation easements are tools for landowners to preserve the forests on their property in perpetuity, regardless of ownership changes. Entering into a CEA ensures the land’s conservation values are protected in perpetuity, allows for sustainable management and can also offer tax benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to frequently asked questions, please see the PDF below:

Pilot Project Goals

This pilot project aims to develop a model for sustainable forest management by establishing forest conservation easements with select landholders in Eastern Ontario who have areas of natural, high-quality forest and wetlands. In doing so, this initiative aims to support the preservation of vital and threatened species and landscapes in Ontario, including waterfowl populations and other wildlife.

Pilot Project Timeline

Geographic Scope

This pilot project is giving preference properties located in Eastern Ontario within following counties (but will consider well-qualified properties in Eastern Ontario as well):

• Frontenac County

• Renfrew County

• Lanark County

• United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

• Prescott and Russell United Counties

• Regional Municipality of Ottawa–Carleton

• Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry United Counties

Please contact us if you have further questions.