A funding partnership between the rare Charitable Research Reserve and the Region of Waterloo will support the registered charity's efforts to manage and steward 980 acres of conservation lands throughout the region through 2027 if regional council endorses a recommendation to provide $50,000 annually to the environmental research institute and land trust.
That recommendation is coming to council June 6, extending the partnership that began through a pilot, five-year funding agreement in 2016 that was extended an additional year in 2022.
The funding supports environmental research related to regional interests, and stewardship activities on land trust properties in Waterloo region, including the ecologically significant properties in the heart of the Blair-Bechtel-Cruikston Environmentally Sensitive Landscape.
It also supports the operation of the land trust, raresites, including property acquisition costs such as legal, planning fees, surveys, property demarcation, oversite, and institutional capacity building.
The collaborative funding agreement is included in the 2023 budget and funded from the property tax levy.
The organization has been operating in Blair, on its original 902 acre property, for 20 years, bringing an innovative model of conservation, research and education to the community.
Each year, rare engages over 200 volunteers, employs 14 permanent full-time staff, and a changing range of research fellows, visiting artists and summer students.
Over two decades, rare has conducted 150 research projects and grown over 31,000 pounds of organic foods for local food banks. Nearly 20,000 students have visited rare's Every Child Outdoors education program.
Future collaborative work with the region includes implementing and updating the Land Securement Strategy to build a network of conservation lands to support the region's climate strategy and supporting efforts to secure land with current potential donations totalling more than 450 acres with an appraised value od $3.5 million.
