Our History

The idea for a land trust in the Desbarats area was born in the 1990s, and The Kensington Conservancy was officially established in 2000. On-the-ground operations began in earnest in 2006 with the hiring of the first staff, followed by the protection of the first nature preserve, the Dawson Island Preserve, in 2007.

Thanks to an extremely generous bequest from a Legacy Circle member in 2017, staff were able to move out of their office trailer and into a permanent home at The Kensington Conservation Centre on Boyer Drive in Desbarats.

In 2019, The Kensington Conservancy expanded its focus area to include the entire St. Joseph Channel region. This new focus area was approximately four times the size of the original, marking a significant step forward in the organization's growth and impact.

In 2025, the organization rebranded as the Central Algoma Land Trust. This was a monumental shift that reflected not only a new name but also an expanded commitment to land conservation across the broader Central Algoma region. With this change, the land trust continues to build on its strong foundation while embracing new opportunities to protect and steward the natural heritage of the area for generations to come.

Please stay tuned for a more detailed history of the organization!