Conserving Land, Livelihood, Legacy.
Leave a lasting legacy: open space, clean water, wildlife, and sustainable agriculture.
Photo Credit: Kim Taylor
What We Do
SALTS helps interested landowners place a perpetual conservation easement on their land. Our focus is on lands with high grazing, wildlife habitat, and watershed value. SALTS easement agreements are supportive of ranching but place restrictions around certain development that would undermine the long-term value of the property for grazing and wildlife habitat. Each agreement is unique to each landowner.
In return for placing a conservation easement on their property, a landowner is compensated through a charitable receipt and in some cases a portion of the compensation is cash. In collaboration with the landowner, SALTS facilitates all the steps involved including planning, appraisals, funding applications, and charitable tax documents.
This voluntary tool allows landowners to keep their land in agriculture and wildlife habitat for the long term in the face of pressures to fragment or convert their land to non-agricultural land uses. It is also one of the only conservation tools available to help ranchers mitigate capital gains tax, support estate planning, and transition their operations to the next generation.
Once a conservation easement is in place SALTS can often provide resources to support the landowner’s stewardship objectives on the land. This may include information, planning, and funding for stewardship projects to improve range and/or riparian help, manage invasive weeds, and improve fencing for wildlife.
Whether a landowner is wanting to leave a legacy of sustainable agriculture, clean water, wildlife habitat, or they’re transitioning operations to the next generation, SALTS is a trusted partner who works collaboratively to support the landowner’s long-term goals.
Rancher-Based
SALTS was founded by ranchers and remains deeply connected to the community we serve. 99% of land conserved with SALTS continues to be actively used for grazing and beef production. Our roots in agriculture shape everything we do, ensuring that working ranchlands remain at the heart of our mission. Our goal is simple: to ensure present and future generations can continue to enjoy the natural beauty, economic strength, and cultural heritage that make us proud to call Alberta home.
Our Focus
SALTS works collaboratively with landowners to conserve private lands with high ecological value. Keeping these landscapes intact prevents fragmentation and degradation, which helps to safeguard clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, and the wide-open spaces that define Alberta’s character. This ensures current and future generations continue to experience and benefit from sustainable water, natural beauty, working landscapes, and enduring heritage that make us proud to be Albertans.
Intact Landscapes
Healthy intact ranchlands make a valuable and unique contribution to Alberta. The benefits extend beyond the boundaries of an individual property. Ecological services, economic benefits, sustainable agriculture and beef production, and thriving rural communities provide benefits for all Albertans. Some of the benefits of keeping landscapes intact include: - Natural water filtration and storage to manage and prevent drought and floods - Healthy wildlife populations ensure a healthy ecosystem and support hunting and fishing - Our world-renowned landscapes attract tourism, film, and significant opportunities for outdoor recreation
The Future
Conserving our ranchlands is one of the most effective and meaningful investments we can make today to ensure these valuable landscapes continue to provide clean water, food, wildlife habitat, tourism, and outdoor recreation for generations to come. With Alberta’s rapid growth, a short window remains to safeguard what’s left these natural spaces - critical to ensuring a vibrant economy and healthy communities. With your support we can leave lasting legacy - open spaces, clean water, abundant wildlife, and sustainable beef production.
