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Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program - Ontario - Canada
Closed
Source verified July 10, 2026

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program

Property tax relief for conservation lands
Offered by
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON) (MNRF)
Official source: ontario.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: May 17, 2026
Latest change: The page now includes the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program policy, adding detailed guidance on eligible landowners, land use activities, and program objectives.
View change
Policy content added
The grant page has been expanded with the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program policy, which adds detailed definitions, program objectives, and land-use guidance. This new content also clarifies which landowners and conservation lands may be considered under the program and which activities are consistent with the policy.
Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

Private landowners

See full eligibility

Overview

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program is an Ontario program offering a 100% property tax exemption to eligible landowners for conservation lands. It supports long-term stewardship of lands such as provincially significant wetlands, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, and endangered species habitat.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
  • Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • All legal structures
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Low-impact recreational activities such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing
  • Invasive species management
  • Infill planting of native species representative of the ecosystem and planned prescribed burns
  • Planned trail maintenance, planned trail development or upgrading, and tree felling or removal for health or safety purposes where the wood is not sold
  • Culling non-native tree species and fuelwood removal for sustainable personal use only

Documents Needed

  • Completed Community Conservation Lands application package
  • Supporting documentation for land eligibility
  • Letters Patent and objects of the corporation, for first-time charitable applicants

Official resources

Official page

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program

Application form

CL Application Status Checker

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Private landowners
  • Registered charities whose primary objectives are related to natural heritage conservation
  • Conservation authorities

Who is not eligible

  • Municipalities or other governments, including agencies thereof
  • Properties that have been commercially harvested for at least 10 years after harvest, unless re-evaluated by MNR

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Buildings or improvements and the lands associated with them, including maintained roadways and parking facilities
  • Landscaped and groomed areas, including picnic-camping-swimming areas and ski hills
  • Recently or currently farmed areas, and recently abandoned farmed lands where the vegetative cover is not representative of the natural ecosystem
  • Harvesting of non-timber forest products for sale, barter or trade; and merchantable wood harvesting with the intent or outcome of sale, barter or trade of forest products
  • Site alteration and off-trail motorized vehicle use

Selection criteria

  • Whether the land use or activity is consistent with the natural heritage and biodiversity objectives for conserving land.
  • Whether the land is eligible under another more appropriate incentive program.
  • Whether the feature or features for which the land was included in the CLTIP are being negatively impacted.
  • Whether sufficient information has been provided to allow for the evaluation of eligibility.

How to apply

  • Contact the MNR CLTIP office to obtain a Community Conservation Lands application package.
  • Submit the completed package to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
  • Submit the application by July 31 of the previous year to be eligible for the following tax year.
  • If the property was acquired after July 31 but before December 31, a missed-deadline reconsideration may be considered.
  • Submit applications annually to remain in the program.

Processing and Agreement

  • The Ministry of Natural Resources reviews the application and notifies the landowner of the result by e-mail or letter mail.
  • Applications may be approved as submitted, approved as amended with rationale, declined, incomplete, or insufficient information.
  • If approvals are determined after MPAC returns the assessment information to the municipality, the Ministry will issue Minutes of Settlement to the landowner, which must be signed and returned.
  • The Ministry may request additional information and inspect the land with the landowner’s permission.

Additional information

  • The program is administered by Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
  • Application forms are mailed to eligible property owners each spring.
  • Applications must be submitted every year to remain enrolled.

Contacts

cltip@ontario.ca
1-800-268-8959

Frequently Asked Questions about the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program Program

What is the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program?

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program is an Ontario program offering a 100% property tax exemption to eligible landowners for conservation lands. It supports long-term stewardship of lands such as provincially significant wetlands, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, and endangered species habitat.

How much funding can be received?

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program program?

To be eligible for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program program, you must: The applicant must be an eligible landowner. The property must be owned by the applicant on January 1 of the tax year. The land must meet one of the eligible land criteria and support natural heritage and biodiversity objectives.

What expenses are eligible under Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program?

Low-impact recreational activities such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing Invasive species management Infill planting of native species representative of the ecosystem and planned prescribed burns Planned trail maintenance, planned trail development or upgrading, and tree felling or removal for health or safety purposes where the wood is not sold Culling non-native tree species and fuelwood removal for sustainable personal use only

Who can I contact for more information about the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program?

You can contact Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON) (MNRF) by email at cltip@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-800-268-8959.

Where is the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program available?

The Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program is a Tax Credits