Celebrating our Conservation Heroes

18
ANNUAL REPORT 2018–2019
But the prairies Marjorie grew up on have
changed and, unfortunately, have diminished.
More than 70 per cent of Canada’s prairie grasslands
have been converted to crops, cities and
roads. As the habitat shrinks, so do populations
of the wildlife that rely on it. The endangerment
of grassland habitat in Canada has cascaded
into the endangerment of many grassland
species, including greater sage-grouse.
Marjorie has supported numerous conservation
projects facilitated by NCC to protect
grasslands in Canada. It is important to her
that these areas are protected.
“Vast areas of grassland have been lost
already and climate change is affecting what
remains,” she says. “Biodiversity is increasingly
under threat. Future generations deserve
the opportunity to experience the beauty and
complexity of the areas that remain.”
“I want people to visit NCC’s projects to see that
it is possible and essential to protect the lands.”
Part of Marjorie’s gift has been allotted to
NCC’s greater sage-grouse recovery program.
In partnership with the Calgary Zoo, this fiveyear
program aims to restore the historic populations
of the species within two protected
locations, one of which is owned by NCC.
“The species that adapted to the grasslands
can only survive if they have access to
the habitat they require,” says Marjorie as she
reflects on the program.
With the help of Marjorie’s gift, NCC purchased
grassland property last year to provide a suitable
environment in which to release sage-grouse.
By supporting habitat protection, Marjorie
is doing her part to care for the Canadian
landscape she has loved her entire life.
“We have an opportunity to protect some
fragile and beautiful areas,” she says. “Without
our help, they will be lost forever.”
It is her hope that as others go out and
explore nature, they feel the same way she
does when the long prairie grasses skim her
pant legs.
“I want people to visit NCC’s projects to
see that it is possible and essential to protect
the lands.”
Canadians like Marjorie, and their passion for
our country’s natural landscapes, are building
a natural legacy for today and for tomorrow.
A small
but mighty
conservation
win
IN SUMMER 2018, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s
Conservation and Research Department successfully released
six captive-reared Poweshiek skipperling butterflies on NCC
land in the Tall Grass Prairie Natural Area in southeastern Manitoba.
The release is part of a multi-year, collaborative research
and conservation effort to save this endangered species.
Recent estimates suggest that there may be fewer than
200 Poweshiek skipperlings remaining in Canada, making the
addition of six individuals in NCC’s protected area significant.
The release marks the first-ever release of captive-reared
Poweshiek skipperlings.
NCC supporters are protecting the high-quality tall grass
prairie that the butterflies depend upon to survive.