Submitted
As the holiday season approaches, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is helping relieve the pressure and stress of gift-giving by providing Canadians with an eco-friendly gift option.
Canada’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization is offering its 25th annual Gifts of Canadian Nature. Through this alternative green gift-giving program, people can symbolically adopt a Canadian species or landscape.
NCC has been protecting Canada’s lands, waters and the species they sustain since 1962. With Canada’s natural areas continuing to be threatened by habitat loss, funds raised through GCN will help protect important forests, wetlands, coastal areas and endangered native prairie grasslands.
By symbolically adopting an iconic Canadian species, people can support important native wildlife populations. This year, new species of concern have been added to the GCN program: Blanding’s turtle, western bluebird, North American river otter, and a “back from the brink” series of birds and mammals whose endangered populations in Canada were saved thanks to conservation efforts. Other species that can be symbolically adopted include moose, bald eagle, monarch, polar bear, snowy owl, narwhal, Atlantic puffin, Canada lynx, swift fox, grizzly bear, wolverine, wolf, plains bison and American badger.
In addition to symbolically adopting species, people can conserve a diverse range of Canadian landscapes that are home to many different species, including Saskatchewan’s cherished prairie and parkland habitat. Native grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world and your gift can help conserve what’s left.
“Gifts of Canadian Nature is a great gift idea for the nature lover on your list,” said Jessica Panetta, national media relations manager with NCC. “Rather than clutter our homes with more stuff, this is a unique gift with a memorable, meaningful and lasting impact. Additionally, it helps the gift-giver avoid busy shopping malls and stressful parking lots, while helping us care for our natural spaces and wildlife.”
Over the past 25 years, more than $3 million has been raised through this holiday program to help NCC continue its conservation work across the country.
Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all GCN purchases. Gift recipients will receive a full-colour certificate, a 2020 NCC wall calendar showcasing Canadian landscapes, and a booklet about the symbolically adopted species or landscape. Paperless gift options are also available, in which case the recipients will receive an e-certificate.
More information can be found at giftsofnature.ca or by calling toll-free 1-800-465-8005.
For the 10 consecutive year, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is proud to have earned high marks among the Top 100 Charities in Canada. These results are from independent reviews and were conducted by Macleans (and formerly MoneySense Magazine) in conjunction with Charity Intelligence Canada. Their evaluations of over 700 charities in Canada look at financial audited statements, use of donor dollars along with transparency.
Facts
Temperate grasslands, including Canada’s prairies and parklands, are among the world’s most endangered ecosystems. Globally, more than 50 per cent have been lost to development. In Saskatchewan, more than 80 per cent of the original grasslands have been lost to development.
It is estimated that there are less than 1,500 wild, mature plains bison in Canada, and they occupy less than 0.5 per cent of their historic range. You can find plains bison at NCC’s Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area.
The boreal forest stretches across 60 per cent of the country, and Canada’s boreal forests are some of the largest and most intact forests left on Earth.
Canada lynx is often mistaken for its cousin, the bobcat. Its large, furry paws act like snowshoes to help keep it from sinking too deeply in the snow.
Learn more
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres), coast to coast to coast. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
