Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Land Trust?
Land trusts are non-profit charitable organizations that serve to protect natural and cultural heritage. Land trusts operate to protect areas critical to the health and survival of threatened animals, plants and ecosystems. There are 35 land trusts in BC and 148 in Canada.
What is the Savary Island Land Trust (SILT)?
The Savary Island Land Trust (SILT) was established to preserve and protect natural areas and biological diversity on Savary Island for present and future generations. SILT was incorporated as a society in October, 1997 and received registered charity status with Revenue Canada in June, 1998.
What are the goals of SILT?
To acquire land on Savary Island, in order to preserve it for future generations.
To promote the establishment of wilderness and other natural habitat preserves.
To encourage, sponsor, teach and support research concerning the environment of Savary Island.
To raise money and acquire funds and other assistance to achieve the foregoing purposes.
What are the tax benefits to SILT donors?
Canadian donors to SILT receive a tax receipt for their contributions; this can be used to offset income tax the donor owes. On May 2, 2006 the Federal government improved the benefits for donors. Gifts of ecologically sensitive land made under the Ecological Gifts Program and donations of publicly listed securities are exempt from capital gains.
How does SILT help to reduce density?
SILT helps to reduce density by acquiring land for conservation and by supporting the protection of land by other agencies.
Can American citizens receive US tax benefits from donations to SILT?
Americans interested in donating their Canadian land or a partial interest can accomplish both their conservation and estate planning objectives through a gift to American Friends of Canadian Conservation. https://www.conservecanada.org/
How do donations to SILT help to preserve sensitive ecosystems on Savary Island?
Many of Savary’s ecosystems are globally significant. SILT helps to preserve sensitive ecosystems through land acquisitions, government and agency liaison and public education. Donations to the SILT Nature Legacy Fun are for land acquisition and donations to the Savary Island Sustainability fund support education and stewardship activities, insurance, operations and legal fees.
Does SILT ever resell the land it acquires?
In keeping with the SILT constitution, lands acquired by donation or purchased specifically upon request by a donor who gives cash for that purpose may not be sold.
What would happen to SILT properties if SILT ceased to exist?
The SILT constitution states that in such an event, the properties must be transferred to another charitable organization with similar goals. This is a condition of being issued charitable status.