They say that if nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies. That’s as true for nature as it for organizations. This past year has been one of tremendous change for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). These picture-perfect postcards represent just a few snapshots from our year of transformation. Read our stories here, or dive deeper into our annual report here.

John Lounds,
President & CEO

It’s hard to believe that just over 35 years ago the burrowing owl was declared locally extinct in British Columbia. I’m so excited that NCC’s Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area is a successful burrowing owl reintroduction site. I saw one of these charming birds when I was out on the land the other day!

Barb Pryce,
Program Director, Southern Interior

This year’s Gathering for Nature in Bunchberry Meadows was so inspiring. To spend a day with more than 50 women of influence and celebrate conservation was splendid. I can’t think of a more perfect day!

Jaimee Mozoroff,
Manager, Conservation Parkland and Grasslands, Northeast Alberta

I can’t believe that this year marks two decades of protecting the heritage grasslands here. In addition to a great name (who wouldn’t want to visit a place called Old Man on His Back?) it’s also home to more than 100 genetically pure plains bison. It really is a beautiful slice of Saskatchewan.

Alan MacDonald,
NCC Board Member in Saskatchewan

I think the western prairie fringed orchid might be my new favourite flower! This year we confirmed that NCC has protected habitat for a quarter of the world's population of prairie orchids — and that's something to be pretty proud of!

Cary Hamel,
Conservation Science Manager

This year I witnessed endangered loggerhead shrikes pass through the Scheck Nature Reserve. Even though they’re small and delicate-looking, their hunting skills are like nothing you’ve ever seen before! I’m so glad each time I catch a glimpse of this charming and rare bird. And I’m so happy to see it thrive.

Mark Stabb,
Program Director,
Central Ontario Conservation

If you haven’t found yourself surrounded by the rare and remarkable bog fern, you’re missing out! Visit wetlands in Saint-Georges-de-Clarenceville and you’ll be in one of only three places in Quebec where this amazing plant is found. Amazing, right!?

Carine Deland,
Natural Area Conservation Planning Manager

The Foxner Nature Reserve is a huge win for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It’s the largest-ever private land conservation project in New Brunswick and our first in the famous Miramichi River Watershed, which boasts one of the largest Atlantic salmon populations in North America. You have to experience the fall colours of the Acadian forest here!

Paula Noel,
New Brunswick Program Director

It’s so wonderful to see the former home of the Island Park Hotel — PEI’s first summer resort — now protected for wildlife. It’s only a short boat ride from Summerside, but is so untouched and wild, it feels like a world away! I spotted an endangered red knot on its fall migration.

Julie Vasseur,
PEI Program Director

What a fantastic way to celebrate Earth Day in Nova Scotia! We announced the donation of forested land —home to more than 600 magnificent eastern white cedars and one of only a handful of cedar forests. The conservation of this area should be such an enormous help in protecting this at-risk tree species.

Craig Smith,
Nova Scotia Program Director

Birding on NCC’s Salmonier Nature Reserve was definitely the highlight of my trip. I spotted red crossbills and olive-sided flycatchers, both species at risk, and learned that the property is home to globally rare and threatened lichens! This beautiful boreal forest on the Avalon Peninsula is not to be missed!

Megan Lafferty,
Atlantic Region Conservation Biologist