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Non-share capital co-operative · Working nationally

The co‑operative

Dry Stone Canada Historic Conservation provides expertise in the conservation of historic dry stone masonry walls and structures.

Nine members of the co-operative in hard hats and hi-vis standing along the rebuilt ironstone slate wall at the end of Phase 2.
Little Dutch Church NHS · Halifax, NSFull crew at the end of Phase 2 · 2023

Who we are

Structure
Non-share capital co-operative
Registered name
Dry Stone Canada Cooperative
Working
Across Canada

Skilled professional stone masons and dry stone practitioners who specialize in historic dry stone features, in partnership with organizations, municipalities, federal and provincial bodies, and heritage institutions.

Our membership includes skilled wallers, certified in the craft of dry stone construction, under the guidance of heritage professionals.

Our mission

Our mission is to:

  1. Support the conservation of dry stone walls through proper and safe restoration methods, and teamwork.

  2. Encourage member training and certification.

  3. Advance the awareness of Canada's dry stone heritage.

How a craft co‑operative works

A craft co-operative is an assembly of qualified craftspeople who are members and co-owners of a registered and insured business. Most of our members are self-employed and work alone, building and restoring structures for large estate properties. The co-operative allows these craftspeople to combine their unique talents as part of a larger team on important projects.

Members pay a fee to join, then pool knowledge, equipment and labour, and share in any assets. That is what gives the co-operative administrative support to conduct business, and funds for professional development, travel and materials.

Two wallers examining an artifact recovered from the wall, one holding a notebook, while a third clears the course behind them.
Little Dutch Church NHS · Halifax, NSAn artifact recovered during dismantling · 2022–2023

Founding goal

The co-operative is the form the founding goal asked for:

start a business to provide employment for practitioners of dry stone construction and heritage, which makes a profit that can be invested among members for training, travel, and working with the Association (Dry Stone Canada).

The co-operative's founding goal

Relationship to Dry Stone Canada

The Dry Stone Walling Association of Canada (Dry Stone Canada) is a not-for-profit company registered in Canada to advance the art, craft, and science of dry stone walling. Dry Stone Canada has an annual membership of between 60 and 80 people nationally and internationally, all with an active interest in dry stone walling.

The co-operative is the professional extension of Dry Stone Canada. While the Association is open to amateurs and professionals alike, the co-operative requires formal certification for membership, and a commitment to heritage practices and principles to work on a site crew. To be eligible for membership, applicants must have experience in the field of dry stone construction and must have achieved at least Level 2 Certification under DSWA in order to build on site.

Members of the co-operative possess specific training, skills and qualifications which contribute to complex dry stone heritage restoration projects.

About Dry Stone Canada

The board

Six of the co-operative’s members hold office. All are professional wallers and may be part of conservation crews.

Membership

Membership and certification

Members of the co-operative are certified through the Dry Stone Walling Association scheme, from Level 1 through Master Craftsman; Level 2 certification is the minimum requirement to build on a heritage conservation project.

Certification is gained through field experience, working with a range of natural stone using recognized dry stone practices, followed by supervised practical testing in the field.

Meet the members

Recognized certification institutions

  • The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (UK)
  • The Dry Stone Conservancy (USA)
  • The Stone Trust (USA)
  • Algonquin College Heritage Institute (Ontario)