Leave a legacy

Invest in a living legacy

Including the Nature Conservancy of Canada in your will is a timeless investment that reflects your values and protects the landscapes and species you love. For now, for nature, forever.

Ways to leave a legacy

Gift in your will

Choose a specific amount, a percentage of your estate or what remains after other gifts and donations.

Gifts of RRSP/RRIF

By naming the Nature Conservancy of Canada as a beneficiary of your RRSP or RRIF, you may reduce the taxes payable by your estate while protecting nature for future generations.

Gifts of life insurance

A gift of a life insurance policy means modest premium payments can become a larger future gift to NCC, with possible tax benefits today.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs)

A donor-advised fund offers a flexible way to support the causes you care about. You can recommend grants to the Nature Conservancy of Canada during your lifetime and involve your family in your giving. You can also name NCC as a beneficiary of your donor-advised fund, leaving a lasting legacy for nature.

Investing in forever, together

When you leave a gift in your will to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, you become a member of the Nature Legacy Society, a community united by a commitment to protecting Canada’s landscapes for generations to come. Your legacy protects the natural areas that sustain wildlife and communities — forever.

If you have already left a gift, thank you. Please contact us so that we can welcome you to the Nature Legacy Society.

Two women look up at the trees while standing on a wooden boardwalk in a lush forest.

Brown bear and cub, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, Ursus arctos,

Two people walk along a gravel path through a green forest in spring.

Benefits to leaving a gift in your will

Leave a lasting legacy. Your legacy gift will protect Canadian landscapes and wildlife — forever.
Keep your assets during your lifetime. A gift in your will allows you to retain your assets throughout your lifetime. You remain in full control today, while your gift creates a lasting impact in the future.
Leave more for the people you love. A charitable gift in your will may reduce the taxes payable by your estate, potentially leaving more for your loved ones.
Connect with the places you protect. Enjoy exclusive invitations to special events and opportunities to visit NCC conservation properties.
Stay connected with us. Enjoy a complimentary subscription to our annual magazine, a yearly calendar featuring the beautiful places you protect, and a commemorative tote bag.

“If I had to simplify why I support NCC, it’s because they get things done,” she says. “My favourite expression is, ‘a lot of clucking, no eggs!’ NCC produces eggs!”

Sara Gruetzner, Nature Legacy Society Member

A smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a denim jacket in a wooded area.

“Growing up, I had a lot of freedom to roam widely and be out in nature every day. It taught me that the wide-open spaces are to be treasured as [they are] full of other creatures and plants you never see in cities. I believe that we need to work very hard to preserve our natural environment for our grandchildren and their children. The Nature Conservancy of Canada offers a way to ensure that special places are not just scenery but places where we can go and play.”

Basil Pogue, Nature Legacy Society Member

A smiling man with white hair and glasses wearing a green polo shirt.

“Canada’s wild places have deeply enriched our lives. It is our wish that our legacy gift will contribute to NCC efforts in the preservation of our natural environment, thereby benefiting future generations.”

Anonymous, Nature Legacy Society Member

“I’m forever inspired by fresh air, vibrant fall foliage and seeing prairie lilies and lady slippers in bloom. Nature is food for the heart, mind, body and soul — and that’s what I want to share with my legacy gift to NCC.”

Margaret, Nature Legacy Society Member

A smiling woman looks up during a snowfall.

“When we give to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the impact we create is permanent because important land and habitats for species at risk are conserved. It isn’t often that donors can create impact that lasts forever.”

Mike Pedersen, Nature Legacy Society Member

A man and a woman wearing life jackets smile in front of a forested landscape.

“If I had to simplify why I support NCC, it’s because they get things done,” she says. “My favourite expression is, ‘a lot of clucking, no eggs!’ NCC produces eggs!”

Sara Gruetzner, Nature Legacy Society Member

Start with a confidential conversation

Talk one-on-one with our director of planned giving, Jackie Mersereau, to discuss your vision, goals and desired legacy. There’s no obligation and your conversation is entirely confidential.

Jackie Mersereau, Director, Planned Giving

Frequently asked questions

How can I include NCC in my will?

A gift in your will is an expression of your passion, your values and the things that are most important to you. A bequest gift is a tax-effective way to conserve nature, and it reduces the taxes owed by your estate. Your gift will help protect our most vital habitats and the species that depend on them, for today, for tomorrow and for generations to come. For more information on planning a bequest gift to NCC, please contact Jackie Mersereau at 1-877-231-3552 ext. 2275, planned.giving@natureconservancy.ca.

What are other ways I can leave a meaningful gift to NCC?

There are many other ways that you can support NCC and leave a gift to conservation: a gift of publically traded securities, a gift of RRSP/RRIF, a gift of life insurance, or a gift of land. For more information, please contact Jackie Mersereau at 1-877-231-3552 ext. 2275, planned.giving@natureconservancy.ca.

What is the Nature Legacy Society?

The Nature Legacy Society celebrates and recognizes all individuals who have left a gift in their will to NCC, regardless of the amount. Over 1,500 thoughtful and engaged Canadians have planned a gift in their will to NCC. Nature Legacy Society member are specially honoured in our annual report and other publications, kept up to date on NCC’s latest conservation achievements and invited to special events in their area. For more information on the Nature Legacy Society, please contact Jackie Mersereau at 1-877-231-3552 ext. 2275, planned.giving@natureconservancy.ca.

The information provided on this page is general in nature and not intended as legal advice. Please consult your lawyer, notary (if in Quebec) or financial planner. We also encourage you to discuss your plans with your family and loved ones.