In order for your land to qualify, it must have been identified by MNR as being, or having a component of, a provincially significant natural feature. The exception to this are lands identified as "Escarpment natural area" by the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) and found in the Niagara Escarpment Plan.
If you own eligible land identified by MNR or the NEC, and if you wish to take part in the program, you must agree to maintain your property in its natural state and not to carry out activities that would degrade, destroy or result in the loss of the natural values of the site.
The activities and uses that are not permitted under the Program will depend on the type of conservation land. Either your local office of the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) will discuss with you appropriate activities and uses on your conservation land.
The NEC general information line is (905)877-5191. To find the phone number of the MNR Office in your area, please visit the MNR Offices page.
If you take part in the CLTIP, you must allow people authorized by MNR to inspect your conservation land from time to time, if requested, to confirm that the land is being maintained as conservation land.
If you receive a property tax exemption under the CLTIP, but do not maintain your land as conservation land, you will lose your exemption. For the years you received an invalid exemption, the municipality can recover from you those taxes not paid, up to a maximum of 5 years.
If you have never received an application for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program but believe you have provincially significant features (e.g. PS wetland) on your property, you may call your local Ministry of Natural Resources district office or the NEC office for confirmation.
You must have the Lot, Concession, Geographic Township and Assessment Roll Number of the property ready when you call.
