Regional Priority Areas
1. Large, Natural Shorelines (Lakes, Rivers)
2. Prairie Remnants
3. Alvars and Limestone Features
4. Oak Ridges Moraine
5. Unique Topographical Features
(Drumlins, eskers, hilltops)
6. Large Woodlands
7. Major Corridors
8. Important Cultural Sites

Land Selection Criteria

The Land Selection Criteria are adapted from other Ontario land trusts
and are included in KHC's Business Plan. These criteria form a protocol
to assess properties offered to KHC. They reflect KHC's objects and the regional priority areas identified to the left.

1. Natural Value
a. recognized provincial or regional designation (e.g. provincially- or regionally- significant wetland or Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)
b. habitat for species at risk (e.g. endangered, threatened or vulnerable)
c. rare ecological communities (e.g. prairies and alvars)
d. important habitat for other wildlife
e. significant contribution to ecological integrity of a feature (eg. is a corridor or buffer or fills a gap)
f. natural, unaltered shoreline with a minimum length of 100 metres
g. area of geological or geomorphological interest
h. quality example of a representative or typical natural site.

2. Landscape Value
a. prime farmland (Class 1-3)
b. highly visible site
c. significant viewscape or wide-angled view
d. Important topographical features (e.g. inliers, outliers, cliffs, high points)
e. unique or highly distinct landscape.

3. Priorities
a. lands of demonstrated scientific or research interest
b. lands of demonstrated educational interest
c. historical significance
d. archaeological site
e. Aboriginal site or of Aboriginal significance
f. distinctive or representative cultural heritage site
g. significantly contributes to the integrity of a scientific or educational feature.

4. External Influences
a. property is to be donated
b. transaction costs are minimal
c. property stewardship and maintenance funds are available
d. no property maintenance or restoration is immediately required
e. property taxes are low or assistance programs are available
f. zoning and other designations are favourable for conservation
g. property is at risk of being converted from preferred use
h. property has easy access by road or water for management purposes
i. property has features under-represented in local protected sites
j. project is likely to stimulate public funding, profile and support
k. project initiates or is a precedent for additional conservation activity
l. detailed background material on the site is available
m. neighbouring uses are compatible with the Conservancy's intended uses
n. property is the subject of expected or known Aboriginal interests
o. property is not significant but could be sold to support the Trust's work, with the donor's agreement and appropriate communication
p. property furthers or is consistent with government conservation plans
at any level.

5. Adverse Conditions
a. evidence of dumping, contamination or other environmental liabilities
b. presence of storage drums or tanks, transformers, or inadequate septic tanks
c. presence of inadequately maintained or protected water wells
d. presence of poorly maintained heating or fuel systems
e. presence of radioactive, asbestos or other problem materials in
buildings
f. presence of fill on or substantial grading of the property
g. financial risk or feasibility to acquire or manage the property
h. stewardship responsibilities would be unusually difficult
i. property is too small to maintain the features for which it is to be
acquired
j. ethical or public image problems exist in association with the project
k. project is part of a development proposal that overall will have
significant adverse impacts on conservation
l. the amount of KHC effort is out of proportion with the benefits to be
gained
m. property is not within, nor does it relate to, the Kawartha region.