Under the By-laws of the Thames Talbot Land Trust the Board of Directors may create standing or ad hoc committees and prescribe the duties of such committees as it may deem appropriate. Members of committees may be appointed or removed by resolution of the Board. A member of the Board is required to sit on every committee and that director shall report to the Board on the affairs of the committee. Board members receive no remuneration for their role as committee members.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Management Committee provides advice and assistance to the Board of Directors on matters relating to the ongoing management of lands in which the Trust holds an interest. The committee operates under the framework of the Property Management policies that have been adopted by the Board of Directors. The primary responsibilities of the committee are the preparation of management plans; overseeing the implementation of management initiatives; ongoing monitoring; and maintenance of relevant documentation. These are briefly described below:
• Preparation of Management Plans – The policies of the Land Trust require that a long-range management plan must be prepared and adopted within one year of securing an interest in land. Management plans are required to address important issues such as hazard and risk assessment, land use and management objectives, finances and site monitoring. The committee is responsible for preparing and presenting management plans to the Board of Directors for review and acceptance.
• Implementation of Management Initiatives – Once a management plan has been adopted, the committee oversees the implementation of the recommended actions. For the lands that are owned by the Trust, this can include a variety of initiatives such as boundary fencing, signage, plantings, site clean-up and maintaining contact with neighbouring landowners. The implementation measures may be minimal where the Trust holds an easement on privately-owned lands.
• Ongoing Monitoring – Ongoing monitoring is a requirement for all of the lands in which the Trust holds an interest. The purpose of monitoring is to identify changes in the natural environment over time, and to identify measures that may be required to address undesirable changes. The monitoring function includes undertaking site visits, completing site status reports and reporting on relevant issues to the Board of Directors.
LAND SECUREMENT COMMITTEE
The Land Securement Committee provides guidance to the Board on issues relating to the identification, purchase and long-term protection of conservation lands within the Thames Talbot area. These lands typically have significance from a natural heritage or agricultural heritage perspective, or both. Protection afforded these lands by the Trust may be through donation, partial or outright purchase by the Trust or by an interest held in the land, through instruments such as conservation easements.
- Committee composition: Board members and other TTLT volunteers.
- Selection of conservation lands: The committee takes a strategic and systematic approach to its conservation efforts in the region. Identified conservation properties have their heritage features thoroughly evaluated through science-based natural area conservation plans, often done in collaboration with other conservation-minded NGOs. Although lands forming parts of natural heritage cores or corridors are of primary interest to the Trust, it remains vigilant and reactive to unexpected opportunities that may arise through threats such as development.
- Evaluation: All conservation lands considered by the committee are rated using several sets of criteria. Candidate lands all undergo a rigorous on-site evaluation by members of the committee. The advantages and liabilities of all prospects are carefully assessed using both locally-relevant and province-wide benchmarks for significance.
- Stewardship: The long-term stewardship costs associated with prospective conservation lands, and the funds needed to cover these expenses, are determined before the land-acquisition process is initiated by the Trust. This guarantees that conservation lands purchased outright or held in easements by the Trust are best protected for many future generations to enjoy.
MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
The Membership and Marketing Committee provides guidance to the Board on matters relating to maintaining and increasing the membership base of the TTLT and increasing the profile of the Trust. The Trust sees a fundamental link between the responsibilities of membership and marketing not only because one of the goals of marketing is to attract new members and supporters but also because the nature of such marketing activities provides value for existing members, encouraging their continued involvement. The TTLT believes in the importance of building community awareness and trust in the Land Trust so that we become known as a prudent organization that respects the wishes of its supporters over the long term.
In accordance with TTLT Policies, this Committee initiates and/or implements the following Trust related activities:
• Communications, including the Tattler newsletter and TTLT website
• Annual Fall Speaker Series and other profile raising initiatives and events
• Inaugurations of new properties and acquisitions
• Member, donor and volunteer recognition
• Media cultivation and relations
• Promotional activities, including presentations to groups and organizations and display presence at various events
• Membership and Marketing also liaises with the other Committees to ensure all activities of the Trust receive significant attention and publicity
A solid membership base is fundamental to the success of TTLT. Membership fees and donations represent an important source of unrestricted revenue that supports the core operations of TTLT. Our members also constitute a pool of interested people from which to recruit volunteers and ultimately Directors.
Volunteer Opportunities with TTLT - click here
