Our History
Formerly known as The Kensington Conservancy, the Central Algoma Land Trust has a long history as an organization. Please stay tuned as more history and milestones are added below.
The Beginning of The Kensington Conservancy
The idea for a land trust in the Desbarats area took shape in the 1990s, and The Kensington Conservancy was officially incorporated in 2001. On-the-ground operations began in earnest in 2006, following the receipt of charitable status and the hiring of our first full-time staff member. This was soon followed by the establishment of our first protected area, the Phelps Preserve, in 2007.
10 Years of Charitable Status
In July 2016, The Kensington Conservancy marked a major milestone: ten years as a Registered Charity in Canada. To celebrate a decade of actively protecting precious lands and waters, nearly 300 supporters gathered at the Johnson Township Community Centre in Desbarats for an Enchanted Forest Gala. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor who covered all event costs, the evening was a historic success, with 100% of ticket proceeds going directly back into our conservation efforts.
Building of the Conservation Centre
Thanks to an extremely generous bequest from a Legacy Circle member in 2017, our team was able to move out of their office trailer and into a permanent home at The Kensington Conservation Centre on the Boyer Preserve, which had been established in late 2016.
The conservation centre is a prefab house from North Shore Quality Homes that was delivered in two pieces in mid-November, 2017. The bedrooms serve as office spaces for our team to work, the living room acts as a meeting area, and the full kitchen provides for the ability for the centre to host a variety of event types.
Expansion to the entire St. Joseph Channel
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.
This expansion allowed for the establishment of the Gravel Point Preserve, which was our first protected area on St. Joseph Island and largest to-date, and the partnership with American Friends of Canadian Conservation to establish the Bowen Island Preserve near the far west end of the St. Joseph Channel.
Rebrand to the Central Algoma Land Trust
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.
25th Anniversary
2026 marks the 25th year since the organization was incorporated. A celebration of this anniversary is being held the evening of Tuesday July 28th at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374 in Richards Landing.
