Did You Know?

Situated between Saskatoon and Regina, Last Mountain Lake became Canada’s first protected wildlife area when the government of the day set aside just over 1,000 hectares in 1887. Since then, it has grown to include 15,600 hectares of wetland, lake, grassland, farmland and aspen stands.

Last Mountain Lake was the first federal bird sanctuary to be preserved in North America. It is an important migratory stopover for thousands of birds migrating across the Great Plains, between their northern breeding grounds and their southern wintering grounds.

Over 280 species of birds have been recorded at Last Mountain Lake during migration.

At least nine avian species at risk use Last Mountain Lake for either breeding or staging/feeding including the endangered Whooping Crane, Burrowing Owl, Piping Plover, the threatened Peregrine Falcon, Common Nighthawk, Loggerhead Shrike and Sprague’s Pipit, and the special concern Ferruginous Hawk, and Short-eared Owl.

Today, Last Mountain Lake is under-funded and vulnerable to invasive species, improper land use and habitat degradation. Nature Canada is urging the government to announce a funded plan to complete and manage a network of NWAs, including updating its legal and policy framework in 2009.

Stuart and Mary Houston. Photo by Lynn M. McCaslin.

Stuart and Mary Houston are long time members of Nature Canada and very active naturalists in their home province of Saskatchewan. Together, their outstanding achievements in bird conservation have included 11 books, over 500 published articles and the successful banding of over 135,000 birds. The couple honoured their deep love of nature by becoming members of our Whittemore Legacy Circle, and had made plans to leave a bequest to Nature Canada in their Will.

But after coming to the conclusion that they would like to see their gift used in the here and now, the Houstons changed their plans and made a generous gift of stock.  Because they are both past Pimlott Award winners and role models for their bird conservation work in Saskatchewan over the years, the Houstons’ gift has been dedicated to monitoring and education activities at the Last Mountain Bird Observatory.  By helping to train others in bird monitoring and banding, the Houstons’ living legacy will instill responsibility in the future stewards of this planet.

Stuart and Mary were glad to have the option of gifting stocks. “Because a gift of stock means no capital gains tax, it’s truly a win-win for everyone, including the birds!” says Stuart. The couple is also proud to see their support make a difference in a cause they strongly believe in. “I often think of the saying: ‘He who gives, while he lives, also knows, where it goes,’” says Stuart. “We are pleased we changed our plans, while we are still here and not posthumously. The Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary is dear to our hearts.”

If you would like to make a gift of stock or designate your financial support to an Important Bird Area in your province, please contact contact Jodi Joy at 1-800-267-4088 ext 239 or at jjoy@naturecanada.ca for more information on this donation option.