In anticipation of World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced the donation of a parcel of land featuring vital forests crucial for the conservation of migratory birds.
The Dr. Thomas S. and Mary Wilson Nature Preserve, a 160-acre property located in Wetaskiwin, has been gifted to the NCC by Dr. Thomas W. and Merne Wilson, NCC said in a media release on Tuesday, May 7.
This donation, made in memory of Thomas S. and Mary Wilson, who acquired the property in 1965, represents a commitment to conservation.
“The Wilson’s generous gift reminds us that conservation is a shared responsibility – one that requires commitment, dedication, and a deep love for the land,” said Tom Lynch-Staunton, the Regional Vice-President, of Nature Conservancy of Canada.
“As the new stewards of this property, we’re honoured to carry forward their vision of conserving it for generations to come,” Lynch-Staunton added.
This donated land features extensive boreal mixed wood forests, recognized as critical habitats for North America’s migratory birds.
Serving as vital breeding grounds, these forests nurture countless songbirds each year, with some migratory species journeying to them from as far as South America.
Beyond its significance for bird populations, this nature preserve provides refuge for various other species, including mammals such as black bear, moose, and white-tailed deer, as well as reptiles and amphibians.
“My mom and dad really loved this property. They walked around it and enjoyed looking at all the plants and wildlife living there. Both my parents would be very pleased to know NCC will be taking care of this place that was so special to them,” said land donor Tom Wilson.
Notable species previously identified in the project area include the Western Toad, a species classified as sensitive in Alberta and listed as Special Concern under Canada’s Species At Risk Act (SARA), as well as the common garter snake, which is designated as sensitive in Alberta.
This landscape also plays a crucial role in local watershed protection. Zoned under the County of Wetaskiwin land use plan as a Watershed Protection District, small streams and natural vegetation on the property contribute to flood mitigation and protection of water quality.