Spring 2018 NCC Magazine

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CLOSE ENCOUNTERS A chance to thrive By Senator Diane Griffin, former NCC program director for PEI From the nearby windows of a Jeep, we watched the gazelle gently clean her tiny newborn and then walk away. The newborn was too weak to move, so the mother came back and walked away again. Back in the Jeep, we were quietly cheering for the baby gazelle — “Get up! Get up!” — because we had seen lions and hyenas in the area, and knew the calf wouldn’t last long where it was, out in the open. The mother came back and this time the newborn tried to nurse — and the mother walked away again. Finally the baby was on its feet, moving on wobbly legs, and we breathed a sigh of relief, knowing its mother would soon find a good hiding place for it. I and a group of friends had been travelling across the Serengeti savannah, when our eagle-eyed guide and driver spotted a Thomson’s gazelle lying down in the grass. Although I’ve had many wonderful close encounters with wildlife, this experience on my African safari is one of the most memorable. I suppose it reminded me of the newborn calves I saw growing up on my family’s dairy farm. If not for the care of their mothers, and of course their human caretakers, they would not have survived. Growing up on a farm inspired me to study biology in university and I was fortunate to take courses in ecology — a new and exciting field in the 1970s. From my ecology professor, I learned about the interconnectedness of habitats and species, which led me to conservation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). While I have been fortunate to see wildlife in many places throughout the world, it never ceases to amaze me how rich Canada is in wildlife. Without habitat, there would be no wildlife — it is that simple. The work done by NCC helps to ensure that our country will continue to maintain habitat. Although we saw many other animals on that trip — and even had one of our camp chairs nibbled by a hyena outside our tent — it was that birth, and the vulnerability it exposed, that impressed me the most. I remain extremely proud of my work with and connection to NCC. We all have a role to play in conserving and caring for natural areas, to allow our Canadian species — including moose, mountain goat, Blanding’s turtle and many species of birds — the opportunity to be born and raised in the habitats they require to survive and thrive.1 HEATHER COOK. 18 SPRING 2018 natureconservancy.ca
Your passion for Canada’s natural spaces defines your life; now it can define your legacy. With a gift in your Will to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, no matter the size, you can help protect our most vulnerable habitats and the wildlife that live there. For today, for tomorrow and for generations to come. Learn more about leaving a gift in your Will at NatureConservancy.ca/legacy or 1-800-465-0029
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2018 Against the odds The Ma
Page 3 and 4: Contents Nature Conservancy of Cana
Page 5 and 6: SONGBIRDS Restore and care for bird
Page 7 and 8: peoples and more recent settlers. N
Page 9 and 10: With perhaps only 500 Poweshiek ski
Page 11 and 12: Helping hands In 2011, scientists w
Page 13 and 14: SIZE AND WEIGHT Weighs up to 16 kil
Page 15 and 16: Partner Spotlight Thank you to our
Page 17: Spanning the lush, vibrant grasslan

Spring 2018 NCC Magazine

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